Ahead of the Senate’s special session this week to consider six judicial appointments, Senate Vice President Michelle Kidani (District 18 - Mililani Town, portion of Waipi‘o Gentry, Waikele, Village Park, Royal Kunia) and Senator Rosalyn Baker (District 6 - South and West Maui), co-conveners of the Senate Women’s Caucus issued the following statement applauding the Governor’s decision to nominate five women to fill Circuit Court vacancies:
“For the first time in recent memory, nearly of all the individuals being considered by the Senate to fill judicial vacancies are women. We applaud the Governor for recognizing the need for gender diversification in the courts and look forward to reviewing their qualifications during this week’s convening”
The five women being considered to fill these vacancies are:
• Clarissa Y. Malinao and Shanlyn A.S. Park to the First Circuit Court – Oʻahu
• Kirstin M. Hamman to the Second Circuit Court – Maui
• Wendy M. DeWeese and Kimberly B.M. Taniyama to the Third Circuit Court – Hawaiʻi
Island.
The process will begin with a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, chaired by Senator Karl Rhoads on Wednesday, October 27 at 9:00 a.m.
The Senate will convene in a floor session on Thursday, October 28 at 10:00 a.m.
This will be followed by a separate decision-making meeting of the Judiciary Committee at 10:30 a.m.
Final Senate votes on the appointments are expected on Friday, October 29 at 11:00 a.m.