GOVERNOR GREEN MAKES KEY ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND THE JUDICIARY

News Release from Office of the Governor, March 27, 2025

HONOLULU — Governor Josh Green, M.D., has appointed Hannah Kihalani Springer to the Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM), effective immediately.

Springer will serve through June 30, 2028, pending confirmation by the Hawaiʻi State Senate. She has been appointed to the Loea seat on the commission, which is reserved for a member with substantial experience or expertise in traditional Hawaiian water resource management techniques and in traditional Hawaiian riparian usage.

A kamaʻāina of Kaʻūpūlehu in North Kona, Springer has served on numerous advisory councils, nonprofit boards and state commissions focused on environmental protection, cultural heritage and community-based resource management. She previously served as a member of both the Hawaiʻi County Planning Commission and the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission, as well as the Board of Trustees for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Her leadership spans organizations such as the Akaka Foundation for Tropical Forests, Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo and the Kaʻūpūlehu Marine Life Advisory Committee. Through her work, Springer has championed the integration of traditional knowledge and community voices into decisions affecting Hawaiʻi’s land and water.

“Hannah Springer’s lifelong commitment to ʻāina stewardship, cultural wisdom and public service makes her an invaluable addition to the Commission on Water Resource Management,” said Governor Green. “Her perspective will help ensure that our approach to managing water resources reflects the values and priorities of Hawaiʻi’s people and places. I am proud to appoint her to this important role.”

Springer expressed humility and enthusiasm upon learning of the appointment. “If confirmed, I look forward to bringing the sensibility of a kamaʻāina of a water-scarce and fire-prone region, to the work of the commission,” she said.

In his newest Judicial selection, Governor Green has nominated Kauanoe A. D. Jackson to serve as a Circuit Court Judge in the Circuit Court of the Third Circuit (island of Hawaiʻi) for a term of 10 years, in accordance with Article VI, Section 3 of the Hawaiʻi State Constitution. The nomination is subject to Senate confirmation.

Jackson currently serves as the Supervising Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in the Hawaiʻi County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney – West Hawaiʻi office, where she oversees felony prosecutions, supervises attorneys and staff and contributes to administrative leadership. Since joining the office in 2007, she has served in progressively senior roles, including as Circuit Court Co-Supervising Deputy and as a lead prosecutor in several high-profile felony trials. Her 18-year legal career also includes specialized assignments in narcotics and traffic safety, reflecting both breadth and depth in criminal law.

“Kauanoe Jackson’s extensive courtroom experience, steady leadership and unwavering commitment to public safety and justice make her exceptionally qualified to serve on the bench,” said Governor Green. “Her deep understanding of Hawaiʻi Island’s communities and legal landscape will be a tremendous asset to the Third Circuit.”

“I am deeply honored by Governor Green’s nomination and grateful for the opportunity to continue serving our community in this new capacity. I look forward to upholding justice with fairness, integrity and a steadfast commitment to the people of Hawai‘i Island.”

A photo of CWRM Loea appointee Springer can be found here.
A photo of Judicial nominee Jackson can be found here.

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GOVERNOR JOSH GREEN ANNOUNCES JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS

News release from Office of the Governor, April 1, 2025

HONOLULU – Governor Josh Green, M.D., today announced his selections to fill three judicial vacancies.

He has appointed Taryn Tomasa Gifford and Karin L. Holma to the Circuit Court of the First Circuit. Holma will fill the vacancy left by Judge Shanlyn A.S. Park and Tomasa Gifford will fill the anticipated vacancy resulting from the retirement of Judge Dean E. Ochiai this summer, pending Senate confirmation. These appointments follow Governor Green’s recent selection of Kauanoe A. D. Jackson to the Circuit Court of the Third Circuit (Hawaiʻi Island), marking a historic moment as all three of his latest judicial nominees are women. The nominees were selected from lists provided by the Judicial Selection Commission.

Taryn Tomasa Gifford currently serves as supervising attorney in the Office of the Public Defender. She is a graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and has dedicated her legal career to ensuring fair representation for all individuals in the justice system.

Judge Karin L. Holma serves in the District Court of the First Circuit and has been temporarily assigned as a Circuit Judge in the Circuit Court of the First Circuit. She is a graduate of the Willamette University College of Law and brings extensive experience in both trial and appellate law.

Recently, Governor Green also nominated Kauanoe A. D. Jackson to serve as a Circuit Court Judge in the Circuit Court of the Third Circuit for a 10-year term. Jackson, currently the supervising deputy prosecuting attorney in the Hawaiʻi County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney – West Hawaiʻi office, has served in progressively senior roles since joining the office in 2007.

Governor Green expressed confidence in his selections:
“Taryn Tomasa Gifford and Karin Holma are highly accomplished legal professionals whose knowledge, experience, and dedication to justice will serve the people of Hawaiʻi well at Circuit Court. Alongside Kauanoe Jackson’s nomination to the Circuit Court, these appointments underscore my commitment to selecting strong, fair-minded, and highly qualified individuals to serve in our courts. I am proud to nominate these three exceptional women to the bench.”

Taryn Tomasa Gifford stated:
“I am truly honored and grateful for this nomination. Throughout my career, I have worked to ensure access to justice for all individuals and I look forward to bringing that commitment to my service on the Circuit Court of the First Circuit.”

Karin L. Holma shared:
“This is a privilege and I thank Governor Green for his trust in my ability to serve the people of Hawaiʻi. I am committed to upholding the rule of law with fairness and integrity.”

Previously, Kauanoe A. D. Jackson stated:
“I am deeply honored by Governor Green’s nomination and grateful for the opportunity to continue serving our community in this new capacity. I look forward to upholding justice with fairness, integrity and a steadfast commitment to the people of Hawai‘i Island.”

Governor Green’s judicial appointments now await Senate confirmation. If confirmed, the appointees will play a vital role in shaping Hawaiʻi’s judicial landscape for years to come.

A photo of Judicial nominee Tomasa can be found here.
A photo of Judicial nominee Holma can be found here.
A photo of Judicial nominee Jackson can be found here.

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SA: Water commission litigation diffused by new appointment The lawsuit cited a Hawaii News Now interview in which Green referred to Springer and Buchanan as great people who would bring an “ideological perspective that was going to cause chaos” amid an effort to find compromises between competing interests that include restoring streams and building homes.

MN: Springer appointed to Loea seat on state Commission on Water Resource Management : Maui Now

HNN: Governor names new appointment to water commission

MN: Governor appoints Kauanoe Jackson to Circuit Court Judge for Hawaiʻi Island : Maui Now