Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred Judiciary Communication No. 4, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nominee from the Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney, State Public Defender, Hawaii State Bar Association (HSBA), Pacific Law Group, and two individuals.

The HSBA subjected the nominee to rigorous review and evaluation before rating the nominee as "highly qualified" for the position. That rating is the highest endorsement given by the HSBA for judicial appointment recommendations. The review includes a thorough evaluation of the nominee based on a modified version of the American Bar Association Guidelines for Reviewing Qualifications of Candidates for Judicial Office. The guideline's criteria include: integrity, legal knowledge and ability, professional experience, judicial temperament, diligence, financial responsibility, public service, collegiality, and writing ability.

The nominee received his law degree from the Lewis and Clark Law School. He is currently in solo private practice specializing in all aspects of litigation, and is also a per diem judge with the District Court of the First Circuit in the Family Court. His experience includes employment at the Honolulu Department of the Corporation Counsel, Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney, and the law firm of Davis Reid & Richards. The nominee is licensed to practice law in Hawaii, the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

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.