HAWAIʻI STATE SENATE CONFIRMS FOUR JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS

News Release from Hawaii State Senate, August 22, 2023

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Today, the Hawaiʻi State Senate confirmed the judicial appointments of Jordon J. Kimura to the Circuit Court of the First Circuit; and Erika E. Ireland, Robert J. Brown, and David M. Hayakawa to the District Court of the First Circuit, State of Hawaiʻi. The First Circuit is located on the island of O‘ahu.

“The judicial appointees bring a diverse and extensive range of knowledge and skillsets to the table,” Senator Karl Rhoads (District 13 - Dowsett Highlands, Pu‘unui, Nu‘uanu, Pacific Heights, Pauoa, Punchbowl, Pālama, Liliha, ʻIwilei, Chinatown, and Downtown), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee remarked. “After meeting with each of them, I am confident that they will serve the Judiciary with intelligence and integrity.”

Jordan J. Kimura has been confirmed to the Circuit Court of the First Circuit, State of Hawaiʻi. He is currently a co-managing partner at McCorriston Miller Mukai MacKinnon LLP where he focuses on civil litigation and estate planning. His public service involvement ranges from providing free legal counsel to the Sex Abuse Treatment Center of Kapiʻolani Medical Center for many years, to being a pro bono liaison for the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaiʻi to assist with the assignment of cases to attorneys to handle on a pro bono (uncompensated) basis, and being an Officer and Director of University Health Partners of Hawaiʻi. He is a graduate of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa William S. Richardson School of Law.

Erika E. Ireland has been confirmed to the District Court of the First Circuit after serving as a Per Diem Judge to the same court for two years. Aside from her time presiding in District Court, Judge Ireland has been practicing law on O‘ahu for 25 years; her experience ranges from litigation attorney and mediator for several firms, including her own solo practice, to a deputy prosecuting attorney for the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney in the City and County of Honolulu. Judge Ireland is a graduate of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa William S. Richardson School of Law.

Robert J. Brown has been confirmed to the District Court of the First Circuit. He has been employed as a civil litigation associate with Starn O’Toole Marcus & Fisher since 2018, and also serves as a Per Diem Judge for the Family Court of the First Circuit. Previously, Judge Brown was employed as a deputy prosecuting attorney for the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney in the City and County of Honolulu. Beyond his legal experience, Judge Brown was also a journalist for Honolulu Civil Beat, covering issues from public housing to government transparency. He is a graduate of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa William S. Richardson School of Law.

David M. Hayakawa has been confirmed to the District Court of the First Circuit. Since 2012, he has managed his own criminal defense law practice, the Law Office of David Hayakawa. Judge Hayakawa also has experience in family law and serving as a deputy public defender for the Office of the Public Defender for the State of Hawaiʻi. His 36 years of legal experience is also rooted in educating others, including being a Criminal Law Instructor for the Legal Education Department of Kapiʻolani Community College for 8 years, serving as a member of KCC’s Paralegal Program Advisory Committee, and as the Dean of the Hawaii State Bar Association’s (HSBA’s) Trial Academy. Judge Hayakawa was recognized for his outstanding service for legal education with the HSBA’s Ikena Award in 2018. He is a graduate of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa William S. Richardson School of Law.

Photos taken from the confirmation hearing and floor sessions can be viewed here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/hawaiisenatemajority/albums/72177720310665060

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SENATE PRESIDENT RONALD KOUCHI ISSUES STATEMENT REGARDING MAUI WILDFIRES

News Release from Office of Senate President Ron Kouchi, Aug 17, 2023

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi (District 8 – Kauaʻi and Niʻihau) issued a statement today regarding Maui wildfires.

"The Maui wildfires have wrought horrific devastation for Maui residents, their families and their loved ones. Our thoughts and prayers are with them, and we extend our deep appreciation and gratitude to all who donated and volunteered in providing support and essential goods and services.

The true extent of the damage caused by the wildfires are unfolding slowly and requires a painstaking process that the Federal, State, and County agencies are working through. As such, it is currently premature to consider a special legislative session relating to the Maui wildfires, though the Senate stands ready to work with the House and the Governor to explore all legislative options, at the appropriate time."

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HAWAIʻI STATE SENATE TO CONVENE SPECIAL SESSION TO CONSIDER FOUR JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS

News Release from Hawaii State Senate, Aug 17, 2023

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – The Hawaiʻi State Senate will convene a special session for the purpose of reviewing the judicial appointments of Erika E. Ireland, Robert J. Brown, and David M. Hayakawa to the District Court of the First Circuit; and Jordon J. Kimura to the Circuit Court of the First Circuit, State of Hawaiʻi. The First Circuit is comprised of the island of O‘ahu.

The process will begin with a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing chaired by Senator Karl Rhoads (District 13 - Dowsett Highlands, Pu‘unui, Nu‘uanu, Pacific Heights, Pauoa, Punchbowl, Pālama, Liliha, ʻIwilei, Chinatown, and Downtown) on Monday, August 21, 2023, at 9:00 a.m.

The Senate will convene in a floor session at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, August 21, 2023. This will be followed by a separate decision-making meeting of the Judiciary Committee at 3:00 p.m., on the same day, at which time the Committee will make a recommendation on each appointment.

Final Senate votes on the appointments are expected on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at 11:30 a.m.

View the hearing notice at: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/splsession2023a/Hearing_JDC_08-21-23_.pdf; or the “2023 First Special Session” link in the Session Info section of the Legislature's website (www.capitol.hawaii.gov). Members of the public who wish to testify should use the Legislature's website (www.capitol.hawaii.gov) to submit written testimony at least 24 hours

prior to the hearing. While submitting written testimony, testifiers will be prompted to indicate if they would also like to testify at the hearing in-person or remotely via videoconference. Additional information and details are on the Legislature's website.

The special session will only address the four pending judicial appointments.

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