STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2799

                                    Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                      , 2000

                                    RE: JUD. COMM. NO. 1
                                        




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred Judiciary
Communication No. 1, submitting for study and consideration the
nomination of:

     BARBARA P. RICHARDSON, judicial nominee to the District
     Court of the First Circuit, for a term of Six Years, 

begs leave to report as follows:

     Upon review of the background information submitted by the
nominee, your Committee finds that Barbara P. Richardson holds a
B.S. degree in economics from Stanford University and a J.D.
degree from the University of California, Hastings College of
Law.  Ms. Richardson has served as a Per Diem Judge since 1986,
and has been in private practice since 1991.  In addition, Ms.
Richardson's professional and community activities include:  the
State Board of Taxation Review for Oahu; the Committee for
Judicial Education for Per Diem Judges; the International
Dyslexia Association; the Junior League of Honolulu; the Punahou
School Parent Faculty Association; and Board member of Seabury
Hall. 

     Testimony in support of the nominee was submitted to your
Committee by:  the Administrative Judge for the District Court of
the First Circuit; the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney for
the City and County of Honolulu; the Hawaii State Bar
Association; two members of the legal community; and three
private citizens.  Testimony in support of the nominee indicated
that Ms. Richardson is fair, well organized, honest, and a hard
worker.  Further, testifiers acknowledged that Ms. Richardson is
thoughtful, intelligent, and is highly qualified for the position

 
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of District Court Judge in the First Circuit.  Testimony in
opposition was submitted by one private citizen.

     Your Committee members diligently questioned the nominee
regarding the qualities she will bring to the district court; her
thoughts on the importance of judicial performance review for
judges; types of judicial education programs that judges most
urgently need; and confidentiality of juvenile records.  In
addition, your Committee questioned Ms. Richardson regarding the
concerns raised in the testimony submitted in opposition.  Your
Committee believes that the nominee adequately responded to the
Committee's inquiries.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your
Committee, after full consideration of the background, character,
experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the
nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and
recommends that the Senate consent to the nomination.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Judiciary,



                                   ______________________________
                                   AVERY B. CHUMBLEY, Co-Chair



                                   ______________________________
                                   MATTHEW M. MATSUNAGA, Co-Chair

 
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