Chief Justice Seeks Public Comment on Judicial Nominees

News Release from Hawaii Judiciary, Mar 13, 2018

HONOLULU – Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald announced today that he is seeking public comment on judicial nominees for a vacancy in the District Court of the Second Circuit (Maui), to fill a vacancy created by the retirement of the Honorable Keith E. Tanaka.

The names submitted for this vacancy by the Judicial Selection Commission, in alphabetical order, are:

William C. Bagasol
Mr. Bagasol is currently employed as a Deputy Public Defender with the State of Hawaii Office of the Public Defender. Bagasol is a graduate of Hastings College of Law at the University of California at San Francisco and was admitted to the Hawaii State Bar in 1987.

Michelle L. Drewyer
Ms. Drewyer is currently employed at the Law Office of Michelle L. Drewyer, Attorney at Law, A Law Corporation, and serves as a Per Diem Judge in the District and District Family Courts of the Second Circuit. Drewyer is a graduate of Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School and was admitted to the Hawaii State Bar in 1992.

Kirstin M. Hamman
Ms. Hamman is currently employed at the Law Office of Kirstin Hamman, and serves as a Per Diem Judge in the District Court of the Second Circuit. Hamman is a graduate of the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law and was admitted to the Hawaii State Bar in 1997.

Alvin K. Nishimura
Mr. Nishimura is currently employed at Alvin K. Nishimura, Attorney at Law, and serves as a Per Diem Judge in the District Court of the First Circuit. Nishimura is a graduate of the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law and was admitted to the Hawaii State Bar in 1985.

Jennifer M.P.E. Oana
Ms. Oana is currently employed as a Deputy Corporation Counsel with the Department of Corporation Counsel. Oana is a graduate of Seattle University School of Law and was admitted to the Hawaii State Bar in 2003.

Bryant G.F.Y. Zane
Mr. Zane is currently employed as a Deputy Public Defender with the State of Hawaii Office of the Public Defender. Zane is a graduate of Howard University School of Law and was admitted to the Hawaii State Bar in 1996.

Because 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:

Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald
Supreme Court of Hawaii
417 South King Street
Honolulu, HI 96813

Fax: (808) 539-4703
E-mail: chiefjustice@courts.hawaii.gov 

Comments must be post-marked, e-mailed, faxed, or hand delivered no later than Thursday, March 22, 2018. All comments will be kept confidential.

The individual selected by the Chief Justice is subject to Senate confirmation.