--FLASHBACK: In July, 2021, Gluck was nominated to a seat on the Intermediate Court of Appeals by Governor David Ige. State Senators, July 29, 2021, rejected the nomination by a 6-17 vote after critics openly complained about Gluck’s ethnicity and gender. Some saw the vote as retaliation for the removal of Joe Souki as House Speaker and for a series of Ethics Commission rulings which Legislators felt intruded on their ability to accept gifts from lobbyists.
--FLASHBACK July, 2021: How They Voted: Racially Inferior Nominee Rejected 6-17 “Opponents of my appointment, particularly members of the Bar, were courageous in voicing their deeply rooted, legitimate grievances regarding the ways in which systemic racism and inequality permeate our lives.” -- Dan Gluck
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GOVERNOR GREEN APPOINTS DANIEL GLUCK AS ASSOCIATE JUDGE FOR INTERMEDIATE COURT OF APPEALS
News Release from Office of the Governor, February 23, 2026
HONOLULU — Governor Josh Green today announced the appointment of Daniel Gluck as an Associate Judge for the Intermediate Court of Appeals. Gluck fills the vacancy due to the elevation of the former Associate Judge Karen T. Nakasone to the position of Chief Judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals in July 2025. This appointment is subject to confirmation by the Hawaiʻi State Senate.
“Daniel Gluck brings a wealth of experience, dedication and integrity to this important role. His commitment to fairness and justice has been evident throughout his distinguished career,” said Governor Green. “I am confident that he will serve the people of Hawaiʻi honorably and thoughtfully as an Associate Judge.”
Gluck has served as a Deputy Corporation Counsel with the City and County of Honolulu for the last four years and was named the City’s “Outstanding Deputy Corporation Counsel” in 2025.
A graduate of Cornell University and Harvard Law School, Gluck previously served as Executive Director and General Counsel of the Hawai‘i State Ethics Commission, the Legal Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai‘i and an attorney in private practice.
After graduating from law school, he served as a law clerk to Hawai‘i Supreme Court Justice James E. Duffy, Jr. (ret.) and United States District Court Judge J. Michael Seabright.
“I am deeply honored by this nomination and grateful for the trust placed in me,” said Daniel Gluck. “I am committed to working tirelessly for the people of Hawaiʻi, upholding justice and ensuring that every voice is heard in our courts. Together, we can continue building a community rooted in fairness, respect and opportunity for all.”
A photo of judicial nominee Gluck can be found here.
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GOVERNOR GREEN CONSIDERS NOMINEES FOR INTERMEDIATE COURT OF APPEALS VACANCY
news Release from Office of the Governor, February 11, 2026
HONOLULU — Governor Josh Green today announced that he has received the list of nominees to fill the Intermediate Court of Appeals vacancy for an Associate Judge.
Under Article VI, Section 3 of the Hawaiʻi State Constitution, the governor must appoint a judge from a list of nominees submitted by the Judicial Selection Commission within 30 days, with the consent of the Hawaiʻi State Senate.
The Judicial Selection Commission submitted the following nominees, listed in alphabetical order:
- Lance D. Collins, currently president/principal attorney, Law Office of Lance D. Collins and a Per Diem District and Family Court Judge. He is a graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
- Daniel M. Gluck, currently a deputy Corporation Counsel, City and County of Honolulu. He is a graduate of Harvard Law School.
- Nickolas A. Kacprowski, currently a partner at Dentons US LLP. He is a graduate of Northwestern University School of Law.
- Robert T. Nakatsuji, currently a deputy prosecuting attorney, City and County of Honolulu. He is a graduate of William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
The public is invited to provide comments on the nominees via the Governor’s website https://governor.hawaii.gov/contact-us/contact-the-governor/.
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Judicial Selection Commission Press Release – Associate Judge, Intermediate Court of Appeals, State of Hawai’i Nominees (Release Date: 02/11/2026)
JSC Press Release, Feb 11, 2026
Under the Constitution of the State of Hawaiʻi, Article VI, Appointment of Justices and Judges, Section 3: “The governor, with the consent of the senate, shall fill a vacancy in the office of the chief justice, supreme court, intermediate appellate court and circuit courts, by appointing a person from a list of not less than four, and not more than six, nominees for the vacancy, presented to the governor by the judicial selection commission.”
The Judicial Selection Commission is pleased to announce a list of nominees for the judicial vacancy of Associate Judge, Intermediate Court of Appeals, State of Hawaiʻi. The judicial office became vacant upon the elevation of the former Associate Judge Karen T. Nakasone to the position of Chief Judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals in July 2025.
The list of nominees selected by the Commission to fill the vacancy for the judicial vacancy of Associate Judge in the Intermediate Court of Appeals are listed as follows in alphabetical order:
- Lance D. Collins
- Daniel M. Gluck
- Nickolas A. Kacprowski
- Robert T. Nakatsuji
The Governor has 30 days from his receipt of the list today to make his appointment.
Statistics
- Total Applicants: 8 ; 1 Females; 7 Males
- First Time Applicants: 1
- Government Attorneys: 4
- Private Attorneys: 2
- Judges: 1
- Per Diem Judges: 1
- Other: 1
- Age Range: 0 (31-40); 4 (41-50); 4 (51-60); 0 (61-70)
- Years Licensed Range: 10 years to 36 years
Additional Information
Days in Recruitment: 90 Days
The Honorable James H. Ashford withdrew his application after the Judicial Selection Commission’s request for public comment but before meeting with the Judicial Selection Commission. Judge Ashford is not included in the statistics above.
Meetings held and decision made in January 2026 with 9 Commissioners present.