Chief Justice Ronald T. Y. Moon appointed Blaine J. Kobayashi as judge of the District Court of the Second Circuit (islands of Maui, Lanai and Molokai). Kobayashi fills the vacancy created by the expiration of the term of Judge Simone Polak.

A partner with the Carlsmith Ball law firm on Maui, Kobayashi has represented individual and corporate clients in various legal matters involving land use, litigation and administrative law since 2003. He previously served as a Deputy Corporation Counsel on Maui, as well as Deputy County Attorney and Deputy Prosecuting Attorney on Kauai. He received his law degree from the University of Oregon Law School in 1991.

The chief justice appoints District Court judges from a list of not less than six nominees submitted by the Judicial Selection Commission.

Kobayashi’s appointment is subject to confirmation by the State Senate.