SENATE TO HOLD SPECIAL SESSION TO CONFIRM JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS

From Senate Democratic Caucus, November 9, 2017

Third Special Session of 2017 to be held Nov. 14 – 15, 2017

HONOLULU, Hawai‘i – A Special Session of the Hawai‘i State Senate is scheduled for Tuesday, November 14, 2017 and Wednesday, November 15, 2017 to confirm four judicial appointments, three for the Circuit Court of the First Circuit and one for the District Family Court of the First Circuit – O‘ahu.

On Wednesday, November 1, 2017, the Senate received three letters of appointment from Governor David Ige naming Paul B. K.Wong, Matthew J. Viola, and Rowena A. Somerville to serve as judges of the Circuit Court of the First Circuit. On this day, the Senate also received a letter of appointment from Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald naming Jessi L.K. Hall to serve as a judge of the District Family Court of the First Circuit. The appointees were chosen by Governor Ige and Chief Justice Recktenwald from a list of candidates submitted by the Judicial Selection Commission.

Pursuant to the Hawai‘i State Constitution, Article VI, Section 3, the Senate has 30 days from the date of the appointment to consent to the appointments. Therefore, the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Labor will hold a hearing on the appointments on Monday, November 13, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. in Conference Room 016. The Senate will convene for the first day of the Special Session at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 14, 2017 in the Senate Chamber. The second day of the Special Session is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. and adjourn following action by the full Senate on Wednesday, November 15, 2017.

Information and hearing notices on the Third Special Session can be viewed on the Hawai‘i State Legislature’s website:www.capitol.hawaii.gov. 

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UPDATE Nov 15, 2017: SENATE CONFIRMS FIRST CIRCUIT COURT JUDGES

Background: Four Judges Appointed to Oahu Courts