Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred Judiciary Communication No. 2, 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 Hawaii State Bar Association (HSBA), ten attorneys, and sixty-two private individuals.

The Board of Directors of the HSBA has found the nominee to be qualified to serve as a judge in the District Family Court in the First Circuit. 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 questionnaire, 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.

The nominee received a B.A. from the University of Hawaii and a J.D. from Hastings College of Law, and has been licensed to practice in Hawaii since 1979. The nominee has been in private practice since 1986 with extensive experience in litigation and appellate work. She is currently a per diem Family Court judge for the First Circuit.

Your Committee finds that the nominee's experience in the Family Court of the First Circuit will serve her well in her permanent position on the bench and facilitate an expedient transition.

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.