Ige appoints ex-campaign manager, prominent attorney to court
COURTESY PHOTO
Catherine H. Remigio, from left, Keith Hiraoka and Todd W. Eddins.
Gov. David Ige announced three appointments to Oahu’s Circuit Court today, one of whom is his former campaign manager Keith Hiraoka, who resigned last month when he found out that he had been one of the candidates selected by the Judicial Selection Commission.
Hiraoka, 58, an attorney at Roeca Luria Hiraoka, will fill the vacancy left by former Circuit Judge Karen Ahn, who retired last year.
“I was honored to have been one of those selected by the Judicial Selection Commission, and I am humbled that Gov. Ige appointed me to the First Circuit Court,” said Hiraoka, in a statement released by the governor’s office. “I will provide as much information as possible to, and spend as much time as is necessary with the Senate and the Hawaii State Bar Association during the confirmation process in the hope that the public will have confidence in the process and in the integrity of the Judiciary,”
Ige also appointed Family Court Judge Catherine H. Remigio, 51, to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of former Circuit Judge Steven S. Alm.
Prominent Honolulu defense attorney Todd W. Eddins, 52, has been appointed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of former Circuit Judge Richard K. Perkins. Eddins has represented clients in many high-profile cases, including the successful defense in October of then-Big Island Mayor Billy Kenoi, who was accused of theft and other charges related to his county-issued purchasing card.
The appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.
23 responses to “Ige appoints ex-campaign manager, prominent attorney to court”
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everyone knew this was going to happen. old boys network at its very best.
yup, I agree. same old democratic machine; take care of me during election and I’ll take care of you afterwards. most hawaii voters don’t pay attention to these things so it keeps happening.
If that attorney gets approved we the people know for sure our elected officials are warped. Kenoi should never have won his case. He is guilty of Miss-use of county funds(buying alcohol,surf board etc). And now I’ve appointing him?? I’ve now I am shame to be of Japanese ancestry to have you appointing such a person.
Unfortunately, there is no shame in politics.
Kenoi/Eddins only won because the trial was held in Hilo; had it been held in Honolulu no way would there have been the same outcome. But, I don’t understand your reference to being of Japanese ancestry unless you’re confusing Hiraoka for Eddins.
I think he’s ashamed of Ige.
There’s a lot more Ige has to be ashamed about than just this. I I was Ige, I would be ashamed that my own Lieutenant Governor, Shan Tsutsui quit on me when I needed him most — in an election year.
Worse, when I asked the Speaker of the Hawai‘i House of Representatives to fill in for Tsutsui, he turned me down. The death blow was when I asked the Hawai‘i State Senate President to fill in — since the Speaker turned me down. HE TOO said NO.
Shame.
There are some really smart, competent people out there who don’t have the political connections to ever be nominated or appointed. Like pretty much all the other government jobs in this state.
Well he did it, appoint one of his cronies! Voted for him for over 25 years, never again. One of his valuable traits was that he was above political ties and obligations. This is just one more reason that clinches my decision to vote for “anyone but Ige” in the next election for Governor, should he decide to run for re-election. A lot of my friends have the same opinion, too bad.
Well, now two of his Pearl City childhood pals are IN: Lance Mizumoto (BOE Chair) and now Keith Hiraoka. I mean, if they are truly the best for the job, then no problem. We just have to wait and see….
I am a little confused. You voted for Ige for twenty-five years, which leads one to believe that you felt he had abilities, temperament and fortitude to be your representative then executive. I would surmise then that you believe he surrounds himself with people of equal or higher caliber as no doubt you would in his position. Why then the outrage when and independent selection committee puts on of the peoples’ names in front of you and you judge it more competent than the rest of names why wouldn’t you select it? You seem to respect your “friends” judgment why shouldn’t he?
REMEMBER IN 2018…………..
even if the appointee is well qualified and competent, this really seals the deal for OUR soon to be ONE TERM governor….
mmmmmm…..someone’s back was itchy…..lolol
Friends taking care of friends is nothing new in our banana republic.
Back in 2005, mayor Mufi Hannemann named his buddy Bill Balfour, the former city parks director, as Oahu Civil Defense administrator. As a contract hire he was able to keep his full pension from city parks while working for OCDA. Get this – Bill didn’t even know how to use a computer or email.
you get who you vote for ‘n it seems the whole State keeps voting democratic and so what you get it noting new with the DEMOS helping their friends to high end jobs be it judicial appts…..BOE appts….or whatevas…people complain but still vote for the same demos every year…..
pay back time. . .
SA thanks for highlighting this pick…yet another vivid event to remember come election time.
The corruption of the old boy network never ends in Hawaii politics.
Its time for the voters to wake up.
It seems to me that a circuit judge should have prior experience gained as a district or family judge. Ige really blew this one by selecting two attorneys, Hiraoka and Eddins, neither having prior judgeship experience.
Todd W. Eddins is no part of the ole boy network ! His reputation is base on his own skill as a defense lawyer.
Pay back for the “OLD BOY” network and friends are friends forever… right?.. I will remember this come next election. Hope you all remember this too? So perfect for this administration. Same same same.. idiots! We never learn about politics in Hawaii .. IT IS A LOSING CAUSE.. Hey wait until we find bones in construction areas.. 25 Billion is surely a possibility.. Heaven help us from this administration and its politic machine.. Unstoppable…