GOVERNOR IGE ANNOUNCES JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS FOR OʻAHU, MAUI, HAWAIʻI CIRCUIT COURTS
News Release from Office of the Governor, Oct 8, 2021
HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige today announced five judicial appointments to fill vacancies on the Circuit Court of the First Circuit (Oʻahu), Circuit Court of the Second Circuit (Maui), and Circuit Court of the Third Circuit (Hawaiʻi – Kona). The five appointees were each chosen from five lists of nominees submitted to the governor on Sept. 13, by the state Judicial Selection Commission.
CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIRST CIRCUIT (Oʻahu):
Gov. Ige has made the following three appointments:
Clarissa Y. Malinao is appointed to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Circuit Judge Edwin C. Nacino in 2020. Malinao is a solo practitioner focusing on criminal law in both state and federal courts. Since 2019, she has been a per diem District Court Judge of the First Circuit. Malinao was recognized in 2020 as Outstanding Pro Bono Attorney Honoree for her volunteer work with Volunteer Legal Services of Hawai‘i. She earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Seattle University and her JD from Whittier Law School in California.
“I am thankful and truly humbled by the Governor Ige’s nomination and am excited to have an opportunity to serve our community on the First Circuit Court. I look forward to meeting with members of the Senate as they consider my nomination,” said Malinao.
Kevin T. Morikone is appointed to fill the vacancy left by former Circuit Judge Todd W. Eddins, who was appointed as associated justice of the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court in 2020. Morikone is currently a District Family Court Judge of the First Circuit. Born and raised in Kaimuki, he graduated Kalani High School and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa with a BA in political science and a certificate in ethnic studies. Judge Morikone earned his Juris Doctor from the William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. He has practiced in civil litigation and was appointed a per diem judge of the Family Court in 2015.
“It is an honor to be nominated by Governor Ige for this position. I am grateful for this opportunity and look forward to meeting with the members of the Senate as they consider my nomination,” said Morikone.
Shanlyn A. S. Park has been appointed to the seat previously held by former Circuit Judge Karen T. Nakasone, who was appointed to the Intermediate Court of Appeals in 2020. Park is an attorney in private practice, specializing in insurance defense, commercial litigation, contested probate matters and criminal defense. She graduated from Chaminade University with a BA in English and earned her Juris Doctor from the William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
“I am grateful and humbled by Governor Ige’s nomination to serve as a First Circuit Court judge,” said Park.
CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SECOND CIRCUIT (Maui):
Kirstin M. Hamman is appointed to the seat previously held by Circuit Judge Rhonda I. Loo, who retired in May. Hamman is a judge with the District Court of the Second Circuit. Previously, she had her own private practice specializing in family law and special education law. She was also an attorney with the Maui Office of Council Services, the Public Defender’s Office, and the Legal Aid Society of Hawaiʻi. Hamman is a graduate of the University of Hawaiʻi West Oʻahu and the William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
“I am deeply honored. I would like to thank Governor Ige for his faith in me. I look forward to meeting with the Senate and to serving the people of Hawaiʻi as a Circuit Court judge,” said Hamman.
CIRCUIT COURT OF THE THIRD CIRCUIT (Hawaiʻi – Kona):
Wendy M. DeWeese is appointed to the seat previously held by Circuit Judge Melvin H. Fujino, who retired in 2020. DeWeese is a judge with the District Family Court of the Third Circuit. She received a BA from Pomona College in California and her Juris Doctor from Southwestern University School of Law. DeWeese was born in the US but grew up in Europe, lived and worked in California before moving to Hawaiʻi.
“In 2005, the Big Island welcomed me with open arms and has given me so much since then. I am just so very grateful, honored and humbled to have the opportunity to give back to the community that has been so kind, generous and inspiring to me,” DeWeese said.
Prior to making these appointments, Gov. Ige carefully evaluated and investigated the backgrounds and qualifications of all applicants submitted to him by the state Judicial Selection Commission.
All appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.
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Chief Justice Appoints District Court Judge
News Release from Hawaii Judiciary, Oct 7, 2021
HONOLULU – Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald today appointed Kimberly B.M. Taniyama to fill a judicial position in the District Court of the Third Circuit.
Taniyama currently serves as a District Court Per Diem Judge in Kona, and has been with the Law Office of Kimberly B. Taniyama since 2017, representing clients in a wide range of cases in the circuit and family courts. Prior to starting her own practice, she served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Hawaii County for 19 years.
Taniyama has held leadership roles in the West Hawaii Bar Association, serves as an arbitrator with the Court Annexed Arbitration Program, and volunteers with the Third Circuit’s Self-Help Center. She has also volunteered with We the People at Kealakehe and Konawaena high schools, Lawyers in the Classroom, Junior Judges, Mock Trial at Konawaena High School, and the Judiciary’s Courts in the Community program.
Taniyama received the Hawaii State Bar Association Government Lawyers Section 2016 Pro Bono Legal Service Award.
She is also active in the community with organizations such as Kona Crime Prevention Committee, and Friends of the Libraries.
Taniyama graduated from the William S. Richardson School of Law and was admitted to the Hawaii State Bar in 1997. She earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in English Writing and Biology from Loyola Marymount University.
The Chief Justice made his appointment from the nomination list that was presented to him by the Judicial Selection Commission on September 13, 2021. The appointment of Taniyama is subject to Senate confirmation.
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GOVERNOR IGE SEEKS COMMENTS ON JUDICIAL NOMINEES FOR O’AHU, MAUI, AND HAWAI’I
News Release from Office of the Governor, Sep 13, 2021
HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige today received five lists of judicial nominees from the state Judicial Selection Commission. From these lists, Gov. Ige will make his selections to fill judicial vacancies on the Circuit Court of the First Circuit (Oʻahu), Circuit Court of the Second Circuit (Maui), and Circuit Court of the Third Circuit (Hawaiʻi – Kona).
CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIRST CIRCUIT (Oʻahu):
There are three lists of nominees to fill three vacancies on the First Circuit.
The first judicial office has been vacant since former Circuit Judge Karen T. Nakasone was appointed to the Intermediate Court of Appeals in 2020.
Nominees:
Chastity T. Imamura is a hearings officer at the Office of Dispute Resolution, Department of the Attorney General. She is a graduate of Whitman College and the William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
Clarissa Y. Malinao: is a per diem judge with the District Court of the First Circuit and a self-employed attorney. She is a graduate of Seattle University with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, and Whittier Law School in California.
Kevin T. Morikone is a District Family Court Judge. He earned a B.A. in political science from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and his Juris Doctor from the William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
Shanlyn A. S. Park is an attorney in private practice. She graduated from Chaminade University with a B.A. in English, and from the William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
Shellie K. Park-Hoapili is a staff attorney with the Hawaiʻi State Supreme Court. She earned a B.A. in political science from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, and her J.D. from the William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
The second judicial office has been vacant since former Circuit Judge Todd W. Eddins was appointed as associate justice of the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court in 2020.
Nominees:
Timothy E. Ho is an associate attorney in private practice. He is a graduate of Creighton University in Nebraska and the William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
Chastity T. Imamura SEE ABOVE
Clarissa Y. Malinao SEE ABOVE
Kevin T. Morikone SEE ABOVE
Shanlyn A. S. Park SEE ABOVE
Shellie K. Park-Hoapili SEE ABOVE
The third judicial office has been vacant since the retirement of Circuit Judge Edwin C. Nacino in 2020.
Nominees:
Timothy E. Ho SEE ABOVE
Chastity T. Imamura SEE ABOVE
Clarissa Y. Malinao SEE ABOVE
Kevin T. Morikone SEE ABOVE
Shanlyn A. S. Park SEE ABOVE
Shellie K. Park-Hoapili SEE ABOVE
CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SECOND CIRCUIT (Maui):
There is one list of nominees to fill one vacancy on the Second Circuit.
The judicial office has been vacant since the retirement of Circuit Judge Rhonda I. Loo in May 2021.
Nominees:
Lance D. Collins is an attorney. He received a PhD from the University of Hawaiʻi and his Juris Doctor from the William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
Kirstin M. Hamman is a judge with the District Court of the Second Circuit. She is a graduate of the University of Hawaiʻi West Oʻahu and the William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
Blaine J. Kobayashi currently serves as deputy chief judge, District Court of the Second Circuit. He earned a BA at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and his Juris Doctor from the University of Oregon.
Audrey L. E. Stanley is currently a deputy corporation counsel, Litigation Division, City and County of Honolulu. She earned a BA in political science and environmental studies from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and her JD at The George Washington University Law School.
CIRCUIT COURT OF THE THIRD CIRCUIT (Hawaiʻi – Kona):
There is one list of nominees to fill one vacancy on the Third Circuit.
The judicial office has been vacant since the retirement of Circuit Judge Melvin H. Fujino in 2020.
Nominees:
Wendy M. DeWeese is a judge with the District Family Court of the Third Circuit. She received a BA from Pomona College in California and her Juris Doctor from Southwestern University School of Law.
Mark D. Disher is a deputy prosecuting attorney and supervising attorney, West Hawaiʻi Unit, County of Hawaiʻi Office of the Prosecuting Attorney. He received his BS in criminal justice from Chaminade University of Honolulu and his JD from the William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
Cynthia T. Tai is executive director, Project Expedite Justice, and a per diem judge with the District and District Family Courts of the Third Circuit. She received a BA from the University of Southern California and a JD from the McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific in California.
Kimberly B. M. Taniyama is an attorney in private practice. She earned a BA in biology and English from Loyola Marymount University in California and her Juris Doctor from the William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
The Judicial Selection Commission submitted these lists of nominees to the governor after careful evaluation and investigation of the backgrounds and qualifications of the applicants.
Gov. Ige will interview each nominee and is seeking public comment on the governor’s website at governor.hawaii.gov – Contact the Governor or CLICK HERE.
The governor has 30 days or until Oct. 13 to make his appointments. All appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.
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CHIEF JUSTICE SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT ON JUDICIAL NOMINEES
News Release from Hawaii Judiciary, Sep 13, 2021
HONOLULU – Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald announced today that he is seeking public comment on judicial nominees for a position in the District Court of the Third Circuit, island of Hawaii.
The names submitted for this vacancy by the Judicial Selection Commission, in alphabetical order, are:
Mark D. Disher
Mr. Disher is currently employed as a Deputy Corporation Counsel with the Office of Corporation Counsel, County of Hawaii. Disher is a graduate of the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law, and was admitted to the Hawaii State Bar in 2008.
Brandon K. Flores
Mr. Flores is currently employed as a Deputy Attorney General with the Office of the Attorney General. Flores is a graduate of the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law, and was admitted to the Hawaii State Bar in 1996.
Stephen L. Frye
Mr. Frye is currently employed as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney with the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, County of Hawaii. Frye is a graduate of Chapman University Fowler School of Law, and was admitted to the Hawaii State Bar in 2013.
Haaheo M. Kahoohalahala
Ms. Kahoohalahala is currently employed as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney with the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, County of Hawaii. Kahoohalahala is a graduate of the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law, and was admitted to the Hawaii State Bar in 2012.
Charles E. Murray, III
Mr. Murray is currently employed as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney with the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, County of Hawaii. Murray is a graduate of George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School, and was admitted to the Hawaii State Bar in 2015.
Kimberly B.M. Taniyama
Ms. Taniyama is currently employed with the Law Office of Kimberly B. Taniyama, LLC and serves as a Per Diem Judge in the District Court of the Third Circuit. Taniyama is a graduate of the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law, and was admitted to the Hawaii State Bar in 1997.
The Chief Justice has the discretion to assign judges to the district or district family court calendar. Comments about the qualifications and character of any of the nominees with regard to either calendar assignment may be sent, in writing, to:
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JSC Background on Selection Process: