David Y. Ige

HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige has received a list of nominees from the Judicial Selection Commission for the vacancy created by the retirement of former Circuit Judge Rhonda A. Nishimura in Aug. 2017 and to fill the anticipated vacancy created by the retirement of Intermediate Court of Appeals Chief Judge Craig H. Nakamura in March 2018.

 

The commission submitted the list of nominees to the governor today after careful evaluation and investigation into the background and qualifications of each applicant.

 

The nominees for the Circuit Court of the First Circuit (island of Oʻahu) are:

 

• James H. Ashford, Judge, District Court of the First Circuit, State of Hawaiʻi
• Karin L. Holma, Managing Partner, Bays Lung Rose & Holma
• Ronald G. Johnson, Assistant United States Attorney, Federal Prosecutor
• James S. Kawashima, District Judge, District Court of the First Circuit
• Summer M.M. Kupau-Odo, Associate Attorney, Earthjustice
• Kevin A.K. Souza, Judge, Family Court of the First Circuit

 

The nominees for the Intermediate Court of Appeals are:

 

• Derrick H.M. Chan, Associate Judge, Intermediate Court of Appeals
• Lisa M. Ginoza, Associate Judge, Intermediate Court of Appeals
• John M. Tonaki, Public Defender, State of Hawaiʻi
• Clyde J. Wadsworth, Attorney, Solicitor General of the State of Hawaiʻi

 

Gov. Ige will interview each nominee and is seeking public comment on the governor’s website: https://governorige.hawaii.gov/contact-us/contact-the-governor/.

 

Gov. Ige has 30 days, or until March 7, 2018 to make his appointments. Both appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.

 

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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]