Comments sought on Big Island judicial nominees

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Hawaii Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald announced Monday that he’s seeking public comment on judicial nominees for a vacancy in the District Court of the 3rd Circuit as a result of the upcoming retirement of Judge Barbara T. Takase.

Hawaii Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald announced Monday that he’s seeking public comment on judicial nominees for a vacancy in the District Court of the 3rd Circuit as a result of the upcoming retirement of Judge Barbara T. Takase.

The nominees submitted for this vacancy by the Judicial Selection Commission, in alphabetical order, are: Kevin S. Hashizaki, a deputy county prosecutor; Peter K. Kubota, an attorney in private practice; M. Kanani Laubach, an attorney in private practice; Laureen L. Martin, an assistant county corporation counsel; Darien W.L.C. Nagata, a deputy county prosecutor; and Jeffrey W.S. Ng, a deputy state public defender.

Because the chief justice has the discretion to assign judges to the district or district Family Court calendar, comments about the qualifications and character of any of the nominees with regard to either calendar assignment can be sent, in writing, to: Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald, Supreme Court of Hawaii, 417 S. King St. Honolulu, HI 96813; by fax at 808-539-4703; and by email to chiefjustice@courts.hawaii.gov.

Comments must be post-marked, emailed, faxed or hand delivered no later than Monday, March 28. All comments will be kept confidential.

The individual selected by the chief justice is subject to state Senate confirmation.