Public Comment on Judicial Nominees Sought

Hawai`i Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald. Judiciary photo.

Public comment is being sought by Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald on judicial nominees for two vacancies, including one within the Big Island’s District Family Court of the Third Circuit Court. The District Family Court of the Third Circuit Court opening comes as the Honorable Melvin H. Fujino was recently appointed to the Circuit Court of the Third Circuit.

An open seat is also available on Oahu in the District Court of the First Circuit as a result of the Honorable Shirley M. Kawamura’s move to the Circuit Court of the First Circuit.

The Judicial Selection Commission submitted names for the vacancies, which include Thomas A.K. Haia, Kevin S. Hashizaki, Peter K. Kubota, Michelle K. Laubach, Laureen L. Martin, and Jeffrey W.S. Ng.

Haia is currently employed at Thomas A.K. Haia, Attorney at Law, and serves as a Per Diem Judge of the District Court of the First Circuit. Haia is a graduate of the University of Hawai’i William S. Richardson School of Law and was admitted to the Hawai’i Bar in 1995.

Hashizaki is currently employed as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney with the County of Hawai’i Office of the Prosecuting Attorney. Hashizaki is a graduate of the University of Hawai’i William S. Richardson School of Law and was admitted to the Hawai’i State Bar in 1995.

Kubota is currently employed at Peter K. Kubota, Attorney at Law, A Law Corporation. Kubota is a graduate of the University of Hawai’i William S. Richardson School of Law and was admitted to the Hawai’i State Bar in 1989.

Laubach is currently employed at Laubach & Frenz, Attorneys At Law, L.L.L.C.  Laubach is a graduate of the University of Hawai’i William S. Richardson School of Law and was admitted to the Hawai’i State Bar in 2003.

Martin is currently employed as Corporation Counsel with the County of Hawai’i. Martin is a graduate of Suffolk University Law School in Boston, Mass., and was admitted to the Hawai’i State Bar in 1993.

Ng is currently employed as a Deputy Public Defender with the State of Hawai’i Office of the Public Defender. Ng is a graduate of the University of Hawai’i William S. Richardson School of Law and was admitted to the Hawai’i State Bar in 2002.

Those interested in submitting comments regarding the nominations qualifications and character can be sent in writing to: Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald, Supreme Court of Hawai’I, 417 South King Street, Honolulu, HI  96813; faxed to 808-539-4703; or e-mailed to chiefjustice@courts.hawaii.gov.

Comments should be post-marked, emailed, faxed, or hand delivered no later than Monday, May 16. All comments will be kept confidential.

The individuals selected by the Chief Justice are subject to Senate confirmation.