GOVERNOR LINGLE APPOINTS TED HONG TO THE HILO CIRCUIT COURT
For Immediate Release: February 17, 2004
HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle today named Ted H. S. Hong to the Circuit Court of the Third Circuit in Hilo. Hong currently is the state’s chief negotiator and serves as an interim University of Hawai`i Regent.
“Ted has been a valuable asset to my Administration, to the University of Hawai`i system, and to the community, particularly in East Hawai`i,” said Governor Lingle. “I am impressed by his strong work ethic, his sense of fairness and respect, and his integrity. On a personal level I am saddened that Ted will be leaving the Administration, but I am pleased he will have this important opportunity to serve the people on the Big Island. I am confident Ted will continue to be a valuable and dedicated public servant in his new capacity as a judge.”
Hong was appointed by Governor Lingle to serve as the state’s chief negotiator in December 2002. He oversees the Office of Collective Bargaining and has assisted the Governor in negotiating contracts between the State and the public employee unions, including the University of Hawai`i Professional Assembly, Hawai`i Government Employees Association, United Public Workers Union and Hawai`i State Teachers Association.
In May 2003, Governor Lingle appointed Hong to serve on the University of Hawai`i Board of Regents as one of 12 regents who oversee the university system.
As a private practice attorney in Hilo prior to joining the Lingle Administration, Hong gained an extensive background in employment and labor law, administrative law, civil rights law, personal injury defense, as well as state and federal litigation. He also specialized in cases relating to violence in the workplace, sexual harassment, wrongful termination and discrimination.
Hong previously served as assistant corporation counsel for the County of Hawai`i, as well as deputy corporation counsel and deputy prosecuting attorney for the City and County of Honolulu. He also was an associate attorney with the law firm Roehrig Roehrig Wilson Hara & deSilva.
Hong is a member of the Hawai`i State Bar Association, American Bar Association, Rotary Club of Hilo Bay, and the Kaumana Elementary School PTSA.
Hong is a graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawai`i at Manoa undergraduate program, and Leilehua High School on O`ahu.
Governor Lingle selected Hong from a list of six candidates that was submitted by the Judicial Selection Commission last month. This is the Governor’s fifth judicial appointment. Hong’s appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.
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For more information, contact:
Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: 586-7705
Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: 586-0043
