GOVERNOR LINGLE APPOINTS GLENN S. HARA TO THE HILO CIRCUIT COURT

For Immediate Release: March 22, 2004

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle today named attorney Glenn Shoichi Hara to the Circuit Court of the Third Circuit in Hilo. 

“Glenn has a broad and balanced background in the legal profession and he will make an excellent judge,” said Governor Lingle.  “The Big Island community will benefit greatly from his experience, work ethic and fairness.”

Hara is a partner with the Big Island law firm Roehrig Roehrig Wilson & Hara.  He has practiced law in the areas of real estate and commercial counseling and litigation; wills, trusts and probate law; and has represented clients in contract, criminal and civil cases.  He is licensed to practice in the Supreme Court of Hawai`i, U.S. District Court of Hawai`i, U.S. Court of Military Appeals and U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth District.  From 1982 to 1987, Hara served as a per diem District Court Judge.

Hara served in the U.S. Army from 1973 to 1977, and in the U.S. Army Reserves and Hawai`i National Guard from 1977 to 1995.  He retired as a Colonel, Judge Advocate General’s Corps, U.S. Army in 1995. 

Hara is a member of the Hawai`i State Bar Association and the Hawai`i County Bar Association. He served as director of the Hawai`i Institute of Continuing Legal Education, is a member of the County of Hawai`i Salary Commission, and is a volunteer mediator for the Kuikahi Mediation Program.  He is a coach, referee and board member for the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) Hilo Region, and is an assistant judo instructor for the Higashi Hongwanji Judo Club in Hilo.

Hara earned his bachelor’s and law degrees from Stanford University, and is a graduate of Hilo High School.

Governor Lingle selected Hara from the remaining five candidates who were on a list of six that was submitted by the Judicial Selection Commission in February.  The Governor’s first nominee to fill this vacancy, Ted Hong, was not confirmed by the State Senate.

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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