Analysis: Fewer than half of Hawaii judges are female
HONOLULU — An analysis of online judicial data found that women hold nearly 40 percent of the judge positions in state courts, a slight improvement from 14 years ago.
Today, women make up 39 percent of the 80 bench seats compared with 36 percent in 2004.
The analysis found men applied for judge positions at a rate more than twice that of women from 2012-16. Since then, the rate increased and men are applying at a rate more than three times higher than women.
The disparity has persisted despite more female graduates from the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law than male graduates.
In 2005, the school had 61 female grads compared with 40 male grads. This year, it had 48 female grads and 44 men grads.
Retirement marks end of Guam abortion providers
HAGATNA, Guam — Guam no longer has physicians performing abortions following the recent retirement of Dr. William Freeman of the Women’s Clinic.
Freeman has been the island’s sole abortion provider since late 2016 following the retirement of the only other physician who performed abortions for years.
Freeman retired in May, leaving the clinic to Dr. Jeffrey Gabel. Gabel, an obstetrician and gynecologist, said he does not conduct abortions and he doesn’t support abortions made at will.
The lack of abortion providers is not concerning to the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services, said acting director Leo Casil, noting that abortions in emergency situations are decided by a physician.
Physicians at Guam Memorial Hospital and the Guam Regional Medical City do not perform abortions as an elective procedure, hospital officials said.