Senate confirms Kubota as Hilo Circuit judge

The state Senate confirmed Peter K. Kubota as a circuit court judge of the 3rd Circuit, effective immediately.

Kubota was appointed by Gov. David Ige from a list of four candidates recommended by the independent Judicial Selection Commission. He is the successor to Hilo Circuit Judge Greg K. Nakamura, who retired late last year.

Kubota served as a per diem district and family court judge on the Big Island since last year. He has had a two-decade-plus career in private practice based in Hilo, specializing in estate planning, real property advice and litigation and business law.

He received his law degree from the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and earned a bachelor’s of business administration in finance from the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Business.

“Peter Kubota possesses the desired qualifications for a circuit court judge,” said Senate Judiciary Chair Karl Rhoads. “Based on our review, we anticipate that he will be fair and discerning judge.”