Gov. David Ige announced three appointments to Oahu’s Circuit Court on Thursday, one of whom is his former campaign manager Keith Hiraoka, who resigned from that post last month when he found out that he had been chosen as a candidate by the Judicial Selection Commission.
Hiraoka, 58, an attorney at Roeca Luria Hiraoka, has been chosen to fill the vacancy left by former Circuit Judge Karen Ahn, who retired last year.
Ige also appointed Family Court Judge Catherine Remigio, 51, to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of former Circuit Judge Steven Alm.
Prominent Honolulu defense attorney Todd Eddins, 52, has been chosen to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of former Circuit Judge Richard 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.
Candidates must apply for the judgeships, which involves submitting an application and recommendations to the Judicial Selection Commission, which is made up of nine people who are appointed to six-year terms. One of the commissioners, Keith Hunter, was appointed by Ige. The others were appointed by the Senate president, House speaker, Hawaii State Bar Association or former Gov. Neil Abercrombie.
Each candidate must receive votes from at least five of the nine commissioners in order to make the list of nominees sent to the governor for decision making.
The Judicial Selection Commission in January selected six nominees for each of the three Circuit Court vacancies. Hiraoka made all three lists. He also made the list of six nominees to fill a vacancy on the Intermediate Court of Appeals. Earlier this month Ige announced that Derrick Chan would fill that spot left vacant by the retirement of Associate Judge Daniel Foley.
Hiraoka wasn’t the only candidate to make more than one list of nominees.
The Governor’s Office has been conscious of the appearance of a conflict of interest in having Hiraoka on the lists of nominees. After Hiraoka made the first list for the Intermediate Court of Appeals, the second-highest court in the state, the Governor’s Office announced that not only had Hiraoka stepped down as Ige’s campaign manager, but that retired Supreme Court Judge James Duffy would be advising Ige on a final decision.
In making the Circuit Court decisions, Ige also enlisted the help of Duffy, who reviewed the qualifications of the nominees and solicited feedback from the law community, according to the Governor’s Office. Ige also interviewed all of the candidates.
Hiraoka said in a statement released by the Governor’s Office that he would work to gain the Senate’s trust during the confirmation process.
“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,” Hiraoka said in a statement released by the Governor’s Office.
The Circuit Court oversees jury trials and has general jurisdiction over both civil and criminal cases. The annual salary for Circuit Court judges is $197,112.
“These individuals know the law, understand complex civil and criminal issues, and possess the demeanor needed to facilitate their resolution,” Ige said in a news release. “They also have the expertise to manage a jury trial in a fair and impartial manner. They will serve the people of Hawaii with distinction.”
Ige also encouraged more women to apply for judgeships, noting that more vacancies are expected to open soon. Applicants for all three Circuit Court vacancies were overwhelmingly male.
“Ultimately, the judicial branch will better serve the people of this state when it truly mirrors our diversity,” Ige said.
