All Videos - Hawaii 2024 - 2024 Regular Session (Page 5)
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Hawaii 2024 Regular Session
House Chamber - Tue Apr 23, 2024, 11:30 AM HST - Day 56
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
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Hawaii 2024 Regular Session
JDC Public Hearing 4-22-2024
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee heard and considered JC26, the nomination of Michelle Kimo for a six-year term as district court judge for the First Circuit. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. Speakers included a pro se litigant who praised Kimo’s patience and treatment of self-represented parties, private-practice colleagues who described her as hardworking, fair, open-minded, and experienced, and the Hawaii State Bar Association, which said its review found her qualified and reported no negative feedback from the Office of Disciplinary Counsel. Committee members asked questions about the number of survey responses, her trial and appellate experience, and the scope of her district court and per diem work. Kimo also made an opening statement describing her background, legal career, and commitment to listening and fairness in district court.
During questioning, members focused on Kimo’s litigation experience, including how often she had tried cases, her role in trials and appeals, and her experience handling criminal matters, civil matters, and chapter 704/Act 26 fitness-related referrals. Kimo explained that she had served as a per diem judge for over six years, typically twice a week, and had handled both criminal and civil calendars. She also discussed leaving private practice to focus on judging and returning to Hawaii after her mother’s death to work in her home community. After discussion, the committee recommended consent, and the nomination passed with one reservation noted by Senator San Buenaventura.
The committee then took up GM 724, the nomination of John Matsuoka to the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission for a term ending June 30, 2027. Written and oral testimony was supportive, including from the commission’s chief counsel and the director of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Matsuoka said this would be a second term and described the service as enjoyable and educational. In response to questions, he said the commission’s biggest recent challenge had been leadership turnover, with both the executive director and chief counsel retiring, and said future priorities would depend on emerging civil rights issues, including immigration and LGBTQ concerns. The transcript cuts off before any final vote on GM 724 is shown.
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