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 4, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

J.C. NO. 4 BARBARA T. TAKASE,

begs leave to report as follows:

Upon review of the résumé, application for judicial office, letter from the nominee dated March 29, 2004, and testimony, your Committee finds that Barbara T. Takase graduated with a BA degree and teaching certificate from the University of Hawaii in Hilo. She also received a JD degree from the William S. Richardson School of Law. The nominee worked at the County of Hawaii's Department of the Prosecuting Attorney as a Victim-Witness Counselor for four years and as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for nine years. The nominee was also a Department of Education hearings officer for "Felix" cases, and since 1999, she has been a Per Diem Judge in District and Family Court. Currently, the nominee continues as a Per Diem Judge and also has a private practice.

Testimony in support of this nominee was submitted by the Hawaii State Bar Association (HSBA), Office of the Corporation Counsel for the County of Hawaii, Office of the Prosecuting Attorney for the County of Hawaii, the Chairman of the Hawaii County Council, nine attorneys, and one individual.

The Board of Directors of the HSBA has found the nominee to be qualified to serve as a judge in the District Court in the Third 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.

Your Committee has reviewed the personal history, résumé, and statements submitted by the nominee, and finds the nominee to have the necessary qualifications to be appointed to the position of nomination. Your Committee further finds that the nominee's experience in the District and Family Court of the Third Circuit will serve her well in a 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, 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.