Seeking Applicants for Per Diem Judge – District Family and/or District Court of the Third Circuit (Hawaiʻi island)
News Release from Hawaii Judiciary, Jan 9, 2025
The District Family and/or District Court of the Third Circuit (Hawaiʻi island) are accepting applications from attorneys interested in serving as per diem judges.
Applications for consideration should be submitted by April 1, 2025.
An original and three copies of completed applications may be mailed or hand-delivered to:
Committee to Evaluate Qualifications of Per Diem Judges
ATTN: Chief Judge Wendy M. DeWeese
Keahuolū Courthouse
74-5451 Kamakaʻeha Avenue
Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi 96740
An additional copy must be mailed or hand-delivered directly to the Chief Justice:
Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald
Supreme Court of Hawaiʻi
417 South King Street
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96813
Pursuant to Article VI, Section 3 of the Hawaiʻi State Constitution, applicants must be residents and citizens of the state and of the United States, and must have been licensed to practice law by the Supreme Court of Hawaiʻi for a period of not less than five years preceding nomination. Please be advised that the Commission on Judicial Conduct has indicated in a formal opinion that any per diem judge and his/her partners and associates may not practice in the court to which the per diem judge is assigned. Furthermore, pursuant to the Hawaiʻi State Constitution, government employees (federal, state, or county) are disqualified from serving as per diem judges. Additionally, once appointed, per diem judges are prohibited from holding other public positions for profit (e.g., teaching at the William S. Richardson School of Law).
Per diem judges are part-time judges appointed by the Chief Justice on an “as-needed basis” to preside in the District Court.
After receiving instructions and filling out the application form, nominees are interviewed by the Committee to Evaluate Qualifications of Per Diem Judges and upon selection, an order of appointment must be filed. After taking the oath of office, per diem judges are ready for assignments.
During their term of service, per diem judges can still engage in the private practice of law subject to the limitations set forth above. Compensation is received only for the days which actual service is rendered based on the monthly rate of compensation paid to a District Court judge. See HRS section 604-2(b).
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Third Circuit (Hawaiʻi island) Seeking Applicants for Independent Grand Jury Counsel
News Release from Hawaii Judiciary, Jan 9, 2025
HILO, Hawaiʻi – The Circuit Court of the Third Circuit (Hawaiʻi Island) is seeking applications for independent grand jury counsel for Hilo and Kona. The compensation shall be as provided by law.
Article I, Section 11 of the Constitution of the State of Hawaiʻi establishes that whenever a grand jury is impaneled an independent counsel shall be appointed, as provided by law, to advise the members of the grand jury regarding matters brought before it.
In accordance with Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes (§612-51 to §612-57), the chief justice of the state supreme court appoints grand jury counsel for the four judicial circuits of the state, selecting from among those individuals licensed to practice law in Hawaiʻi who are not public employees.
If you are interested in being considered for a one-year appointment for either Hilo or Kona, please submit a letter indicating your interest and a resume by April 15, 2025 to:
Chief Judge Wendy M. DeWeese
Keahuolū Courthouse
74-5451 Kamakaʻeha Avenue
Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi 96740
Also, please fax or email a copy to:
Robert D.S. Kim
Chief Court Administrator
Fax: 808-961-7577
Email: cca.3jc@courts.hawaii.gov
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Second Circuit (Maui County) Seeking Applicants for Independent Grand Jury Counsel
News Release from Hawaii Judiciary, Jan 10, 2025
WAILUKU, Hawaiʻi – The Circuit Court of the Second Circuit (Maui, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi) is seeking applicants for independent grand jury counsel. The compensation shall be as provided by law.
Article I, Section 11 of the Constitution of the State of Hawaiʻi establishes that whenever a grand jury is impaneled, an independent counsel shall be appointed, as provided by law, to advise the members of the grand jury regarding matters brought before it.
In accordance with Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes (§612-51 to §612-57), the chief justice of the state supreme court appoints grand jury counsel for the four judicial circuits of the state, selecting from among those individuals licensed to practice law in Hawaiʻi who are not public employees.
If you are interested in being considered for a one-year appointment, please submit a letter indicating your interest and a resume by February 7, 2025 to:
Chief Judge Peter T. Cahill
2145 Main Street
Wailuku, Hawaiʻi 96793
or by email to:
courtroom2.2cc@courts.hawaii.gov