District Court judge nominees for O‘ahu, Hawai‘i Island confirmed by State Senate

The Hawaiʻi State Senate voted to confirm three judicial nominees to serve in the District Courts on O‘ahu and Hawai‘i Island, following their appointments by Acting Chief Justice Sabrina S. McKenna.

The nominations were reviewed and advanced by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, chaired by Sen. Karl Rhoads.

The nominations were submitted to the Acting Chief Justice by the Judicial Selection Commission on Feb. 11. Kirsha Kaulukane Milianani Durante and Simeona Lynn Liliuokalani Ahuna Mariano were confirmed to serve in the District Court for the First Circuit on O‘ahu, and Andrew Michael Kennedy was confirmed to serve in Hawai‘i Island’s District Court in the Third Circuit.

Each serves a six-year term for the State of Hawaiʻi, according to a news release from the Hawai‘i State Senate Majority.

Kennedy is a partner at Schlueter, Kwiat & Kennedy LLLP, where he maintains an active trial practice with experience in both civil and criminal litigation.

He has practiced law for over 20 years across multiple jurisdictions and has argued before the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court, including in notable appellate cases.

In addition to his legal practice, Kennedy is active in public service and the legal community, including leadership roles with the West Hawaiʻi Bar Association and service on the State’s Defender Council.

Testimony submitted in support of his nomination notes his integrity, professionalism, and calm, fair-minded approach.

“These nominees reflect the depth of legal talent and dedication to public service we have in Hawaiʻi,” said Rhoads. “Ms. Durante’s extensive trial experience and commitment to justice, Ms. Mariano’s years of service in protecting families and communities, and Mr. Kennedy’s leadership and breadth of legal practice across jurisdictions each bring valuable perspective to the bench. The Committee on Judiciary carefully reviewed their qualifications and is proud to advance these nominations for consideration by the full Senate.”

Kennedy earned his Bachelor of Arts from Villanova University and his Juris Doctor from Suffolk University School of Law. He has been licensed to practice law in Hawaiʻi since 2012 and is also admitted in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and New York.