STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1831

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NO. 805

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 805, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

Defender Council

G.M. No. 805

DAVID HAYAKAWA, for a term to expire 06-30-2022,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee has reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by the nominee and finds David Hayakawa to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated for appointment to the Defender Council.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of David Hayakawa from the Governor; Office of the Public Defender, Hawai‘i Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys; Hudson Law, LLLC; and forty-six individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Hayakawa's extensive experience in the field of criminal defense, expertise in the criminal justice system, and familiarity with every level of the Hawaii Judiciary qualify him to be nominated for appointment to the Defender Council. Your Committee notes that Mr. Hayakawa has been practicing criminal defense law for over thirty years, including twelve years as a deputy public defender, and has been named a Top-Rated Criminal Defense Attorney in Honolulu in addition to many other honors and accolades, including Lawyer of the Year for Criminal Defense-General Practice. Additionally, Mr. Hayakawa continues to volunteer his time to assist the Office of the Public Defender by serving as a mentor to young deputy public defenders. Mr. Hayakawa is also actively engaged in the legal community. He has served as Dean of the Hawaii State Bar Association's Trial Academy since 2014, as well as the co-chairperson of the Supreme Court of the State of Hawaii's Rule 1.14 Professionalism Course Committee. Your Committee further finds that Mr. Hayakawa's legal expertise, experience in the practice of criminal law, and commitment to serving the community will be great assets to the Defender Council.

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, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.

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

____________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair