Notice of Anticipated Judicial Vacancy – Circuit Judge, Circuit Court of the Third Circuit (island of Hawaii)

News Release from Hawaii Judiciary, June 5, 2020

The Judicial Selection Commission is accepting applications and nominations to fill the following anticipated judicial vacancy in the State of Hawaii:

• Circuit Judge, Circuit Court of the Third Circuit (island of Hawaii)

The Constitution of the State of Hawaii requires that the persons selected by the Commission be residents and citizens of the State of Hawaii and of the United States, and have been licensed to practice law by the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court. A circuit judge shall have been licensed for a period of not less than ten years preceding nomination. No judge shall, during the term of office, engage in the practice of law, or run for or hold any other office or position of profit under the United States, the State or its political subdivisions.

The term of office of a circuit judge shall be ten years. The annual salary in Hawaii of a circuit judge is $207,084.

The Chief Justice has the discretion to make assignments of calendars among the circuit judges as provided under Section 601-2 of the Hawaii Revised Statute.

Full-time judges also receive employer contributions to premiums for enrollment in the state-sponsored medical, drug, vision and dental plans, a free life insurance policy, state retirement benefits, a deferred compensation supplemental retirement savings plan, 13 paid holidays annually (14 days during election years), 21 vacation and 21 sick leave days per year. Benefits are subject to modification or termination due to changes in statutes, pertinent rules and regulations. Judges shall be retired upon attaining the age of seventy years.

The Commission invites anyone who meets the constitutional requirements and is interested in the position to apply directly to the Commission.

Applicants:

Prior to submitting your application, submit a letter with a contact phone number and an e-mail address specifying the vacancy for which you are applying.

The Commission also invites persons to nominate qualified individuals for the position. Nominators: Mail your nomination to the address below with the nominee’s full name and mailing address as soon as possible and not later than the nomination deadline of Monday, July 20, 2020.

TO APPLY:

Please visit the Commission’s website and fill out the form JS-P-084, the Application for Judicial Office Form. The application must be postmarked or delivered to the address below on or before the application deadline of Thursday, September 3, 2020.

Commission Chair Ronette M. Kawakami, Esq. 
Judicial Selection Commission 
State of Hawaii 
417 South King Street 
Honolulu, Hawaii 9681

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Notice of Petition for Retention – The Honorable Margaret K. Masunaga

News Release from Hawaii Judiciary, Jun 5, 2020

The Judicial Selection Commission, State of Hawaii, announces that the term of the Honorable Margaret K. Masunaga as District Judge, District Court of the Third Circuit, State of Hawaii, will expire on December 1, 2020. Judge Masunaga, in accordance with Section 3, Article VI of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii, has petitioned to be retained in office and to be renewed for an additional term. The Constitution of the State of Hawaii empowers the Commission to determine whether Judge Masunaga should be retained in office for an additional term of six years.

The Commission invites interested persons to submit written comments or fill out an evaluation form on whether Judge Masunaga should be retained in office for a new term. All written comments and evaluation forms will be kept CONFIDENTIAL.

Please visit the Commission’s website to access and fill out form JS-P-081, Judicial Retention Evaluation Form. Written comments and/or form JS-P-081 must be postmarked or faxed by Tuesday, August 4, 2020, to:

Commission Chair Ronette M. Kawakami, Esq.
Judicial Selection Commission
State of Hawaii
417 South King Street 
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Fax: (808) 538-5205