GOVERNOR LINGLE RELEASES JUDICIAL NOMINATION LISTS

For Immediate Release: March 3, 2004

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle released today two lists provided to her by the Judicial Selection Commission from which she will make one appointment to the Circuit Court of the First Circuit to fill the vacancy created by the Dec. 31, 2003, retirement of The Honorable Dan Kochi.  The other appointment will be to fill a vacancy created by the addition of a seventh associate judge to the Intermediate Court of Appeals.

In her continuing effort to maintain openness in her administration, Governor Lingle has again elected to make the lists available prior to making the appointments. 

Nominees to fill a vacancy in the Circuit Court of the First Circuit:
Bert I. Ayabe
James H. Hershey
Ronette M. Kawakami
Gerald H. Kibe
Dale W. Lee
Michael K. Tanigawa

Nominees to fill the vacancy of Associate Judge, Intermediate Court of Appeals:
Alexa D. M. Fujise
Susan M. Ichinose
Victoria S. Marks
Richard K. Perkins
Michael A. Town
Frances Q. F. Wong

The Commission does not rank the candidates.  The Governor has 30 days from receipt of the lists (March 1, 2004) to make her selections.

Public comments on the nominees may be sent via email to Governor.Lingle@hawaii.gov or by fax at 808-586-0006.  All comments should be submitted by the close of business on Friday, March 19, 2004.

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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

Sidney Ayabe
Chair, Judicial Selection Commission
Phone: 538-5200