Ex-federal prosecutor named isles’ interim U.S. attorney

Kenji Price — a former federal prosecutor and Army Ranger who is now a director at the Honolulu law firm Alston Hunt Floyd &Ing — has been appointed interim U.S. attorney for Hawaii by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, the Justice Department announced Wednesday.

His appointment is effective Friday. He will face Senate confirmation.

Price, who grew up in Hawaii, currently focuses on white-collar criminal defense and commercial litigation. He previously was a partner of counsel at Carlsmith Ball in Honolulu and also served as an assistant U.S. attorney in New York state.

He graduated from Gonzaga University in Washington and obtained his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

He was an officer in the Army and served with the 75th Ranger Regiment and the 173rd Airborne Brigade.

“Kenji Price is a former Army Ranger with two Bronze stars, and a former federal prosecutor who worked organized crime, public corruption and international drug trafficking cases — including against the Sinaloa Cartel,” Sessions said in a statement. “He will bring this outstanding background to the job of interim U.S. attorney for Hawaii.”

Acting U.S. Attorney Elliot Enoki will resume his role as first assistant U.S. attorney, the Justice Department said.