Judicial Selection Commission
Notice of Anticipated Judicial Vacancies for Intermediate Court of Appeals and First Circuit Court
Deadline Extended for Nominations or Applications for the Anticipated Vacancy in the Office of Chief Justice
Judicial Selection Commission Forms
The Judicial Selection Commission reviews and evaluates applications for all judicial vacancies, and vote, by secret ballot, to select qualified nominees. Established by a 1978 state constitutional amendment, the Commission is governed by the Judicial Selection Commission Rules.
The names of the nominees are then forwarded to the appropriate appointing authority. The governor is the appointing authority to nominate judges of the Supreme Court, Intermediate Court of Appeals, and Circuit Court for an initial ten-year term. The governor selects appointees from a list of not less than four and not more than six names submitted by the Judicial Selection Commission. The commission submits a list of at least six names to the chief justice who nominates judges for district and district family court to six-year terms. All nominations are subject to confirmation by the state senate.
The Commission also determines whether a justice or judge shall be retained in office. The Commission publicizes the fact that a justice or judge is seeking retention so that all persons who might have an interest in the matter be informed of the opportunity to comment.
Comments about justices and judges seeking appointment or retention should be submitted to:
Contact Information:
Judicial Selection Commission
417 South King Street
Honolulu, Hawai`i 96813-2902
Telephone: (808) 538-5200
Fax: (808) 538-5205
The Commission is composed of nine members, no more than four of whom may be lawyers. The members, who serve staggered six-year terms, are selected or elected as follows:
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Sheri N. Sakamoto
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Chairperson
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Susan M. Ichinose
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Vice Chairperson
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Lloyd M. Yonenaka
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Secretary
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Member |
Term |
Appointing/Electing Authority |
Shelton G.W. Jim On |
04/02/05 - 04/01/11
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(Governor) |
Ralph R. LaFountaine
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04/02/05 - 04/01/11
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(House) |
Sheri N. Sakamoto
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04/02/05 - 04/01/11
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(Senate) |
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Susan M. Ichinose |
04/02/07 - 04/01/13 |
(Bar) |
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Frederick T. Okumura |
04/02/07 - 04/01/13 |
(CJ) |
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George M. Masuoka |
04/02/08 - 04/01/14 |
(Senate) |
James J. Bickerton |
04/02/09 - 04/01/15
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(Bar) |
Albert Y. Kanno |
04/02/09 - 04/01/15
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(House) |
Lloyd M. Yonenaka |
04/02/09 - 04/01/15
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(Governor) |
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