David Y. Ige

HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige today received three lists of nominees for three vacancies in the Circuit Court of the First Circuit (island of O‘ahu) from the Judicial Selection Commission.

The commission has nominated the following for the vacancy left by former Circuit Judge Derrick H. M. Chan, who was elevated to the position of Associate Judge for the Intermediate Court of Appeals in April 2017.

• James H. Ashford – Judge, District Court of the First Circuit
• William M. Domingo – Judge, District Court of the First Circuit
• Jonathan L. Ortiz – Attorney/Partner, Ortiz & Katano
• Rowena A. Somerville – Attorney, Hearings Officer, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
• Matthew J. Viola – Judge, District/Family Court of the First Circuit
• Paul B. K. Wong – Judge, District Court of the First Circuit

There were 28 applicants for this position, including 24 men and six women, 11 government attorneys, 11 private attorneys, four per diem judges and six judges.

The commission has also nominated the following for the vacancy left by the retirement of former Circuit Judge Dexter D. Del Rosario in December 2016:

James H. Ashford – Judge, District Court of the First Circuit

Timothy E. Ho – Chief Deputy Public Defender, State of Hawaii

Ronald G. Johnson – Assistant United States Attorney, Federal Prosecutor

James S. Kawashima – Judge, District Court of the First Circuit

Matthew J. Viola – Judge, District/Family Court of the First Circuit

Paul B. K. Wong – Judge, District Court of the First Circuit

There were 23 applicants for this position, including 19 men and four women, 10 government attorneys, 9 private attorneys, two per diem judges and four judges.

And finally, the commission nominated the following for the vacancy left by the retirement of former Circuit Judge Karl K. Sakamoto in December 2016:

James H. Ashford – Judge, District Court of the First Circuit

Timothy E. Ho – Chief Deputy Public Defender, State of Hawai‘i

Ronald G. Johnson – Assistant United States Attorney, Federal Prosecutor

James S. Kawashima – Judge, District Court of the First Circuit

Matthew J. Viola – Judge, District/Family Court of the First Circuit

Paul B. K. Wong – Judge, District Court of the First Circuit

 

There were 22 applicants for this position, including 19 men, four women, 11 government attorneys, seven private attorneys, one per diem judge and four judges.

Gov. Ige will interview each nominee and will review public comments received on the governor’s website at governorige.hawaii.gov – Contact the Governor.

He has 30 days, until Nov. 1 to make his appointments.

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Media Contacts:

Jodi Leong

Deputy Communications Director/Press Secretary

Office of the Governor

Office: 808-586-0043

Mobile: 808-798-3929

[email protected]

 

Cindy McMillan

Communications Director

Office of the Governor

Office: 808-586-0012

Mobile: 808-265-7974

[email protected]