Chief Justice Seeks Public Comment on Judicial Nominees

HONOLULU – Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald announced today that he is seeking public comment on judicial nominees for two vacancies in the District Family Court of the First Circuit (Island of Oahu), as a result of the retirement of Judges Linda K.C. Luke and Jennifer L. Ching.

The names submitted for these vacancies by the Judicial Selection Commission, in alphabetical order, are:

Rebecca A. Copeland Ms. Copeland is currently employed at the Law Office of Rebecca A. Copeland, LLC and serves as a Per Diem Judge in the District Court of the First Circuit. Copeland is a graduate of St. Mary’s University School of Law and was admitted to the Hawaii State Bar in 2003.

Thomas A.K. Haia Mr. Haia is currently employed at Thomas A.K. Haia, Attorney at Law, and serves as a Per Diem Judge in the District Court of the First Circuit. Haia is a graduate of the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law and was admitted to the Hawaii State Bar in 1995.

Chastity T. Imamura Ms. Imamura is currently employed as a Hearings Officer with the Office of Dispute Resolution in the Department of the Attorney General. Imamura is a graduate of the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law and was admitted to the Hawaii State Bar in 2002.

Craig W. Jerome Mr. Jerome is currently employed as an Assistant Federal Public Defender with the Office of the Hawaii Federal Public Defender. He is a graduate of the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law and was admitted to the Hawaii State Bar in 2007.

Alvin P.K.K. Nishimura Mr. Nishimura is currently employed at Alvin Nishimura, Attorney at Law, and serves as a Per Diem Judge in the District Court of the First Circuit. Nishimura is a graduate of the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law and was admitted to the Hawaii State Bar in 1985.

Andrew T. Park Mr. Park is currently employed at the Law Office of Andrew T. Park, and serves as a Per Diem Judge in the District Family Court of the First Circuit. He is a graduate of the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law and was admitted to the Hawaii State Bar in 2008.

Shanlyn A.S. Park Ms. Park is currently employed at McCorriston Miller Mukai MacKinnon LLP. She is a graduate of the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law and was admitted to the Hawaii State Bar in 1995.

Bryant G.F.Y. Zane Mr. Zane is currently employed as a Deputy Public Defender with the Office of the Public Defender. He is a graduate of Howard University School of Law and was admitted to the Hawaii State Bar in 1996.

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 may be sent, in writing, to:

Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald Supreme Court of Hawaii 417 South King Street Honolulu, HI 96813

Fax: (808) 539-4703 E-mail: chiefjustice@courts.hawaii.gov

Comments must be post-marked, e-mailed, faxed, or hand delivered no later than Wednesday, October 2, 2019. All comments will be kept confidential.

The individuals selected by the Chief Justice are subject to Senate confirmation.