Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 427, 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 State Public Defender, Hawaii State Bar Association (HSBA), Pacific Management Consultants, Inc., thirteen attorneys, and three individuals.

The Board of Directors of the HSBA has found the nominee to be qualified to serve as a circuit court judge. As part of the HSBA Board's procedures for taking a position on judicial appointments, the candidate is asked to submit a resume, respond to a questionaire, and to appear before the Board to answer questions. The HSBA Board utilizes a modified version of the American Bar Association Guidelines for Reviewing Qualifications of Candidates for State Judicial Office. These Guidelines include the following criteria for judicial positions: integrity, legal knowledge and ability, professional experience, judicial temperament, diligence, financial responsibility, public service, collegiality, and writing ability.

Rhonda Akemi Nishimura is currently a district court judge in the first circuit. She received a Juris Doctorate degree from the William S. Richardson School of Law, and is a member of the Hawaii State Bar Association, Hawaii Women Lawyers, Hawaii State Trial Judges Association, American Judicature Society (Hawaii Chapter), Hawaii Women's Legal Foundation, and Mediation Center of the Pacific. She has served with the Court Annexed Arbitration Program, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, Judicial Arbitration Commission, and Hawaii Justice Foundation where she was the Director. The nominee has been active in conferences, panels, and programs between the Hawaii State Bar Association and the Judiciary.

Your Committee notes that the nominee's experience as a district court judge since 1997 will serve her well as a circuit court judge. She was the civil lead judge from 1999 to 2002, and sat on the criminal and traffic court benches. Your Committee further notes that the nominee has presided over circuit court trials in civil and criminal cases as a substitute judge. This experience should facilitate an expedient transition for the nominee.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs 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.