U.S. District Court Judge David Ezra to retire in June

HONOLULU, HAWAII — On Tuesday, February 21^st, Senators Daniel K. Inouye and Daniel K. Akaka will formally initiate the work of the nine-member Hawaii Federal Judicial Selection Commission, established in July 2006, to make recommendations of qualified applicants for the U.S. District Court seat being vacated by Judge David Ezra at the end of June. 

“Judge Ezra has done a fine job on the federal bench over the past 24 years.  He has served with integrity, and has thoughtfully interpreted and upheld the rule of law.  His leadership will be missed,” said Senator Akaka.

In light of Judge Ezra’s retirement announcement, the Senators have called the Commission to action, beginning with respected attorney and long-time advocate of merit judicial selection, Larry Okinaga, as the Chair.  The other eight members are as follows:

·  Ms. Bennette Misalucha Evangelista
·  Ms. Lynn Fallin
·  Mr. Allen Hoe
·  Mr. Donavan Kealoha
·  Ms. Janice Kim
·  Retired Judge Marie Milks
·  Mr. Jeff Sia
·  Mr. Tony Takitani

“The purpose of the Commission is to help ensure a strong, independent, and qualified federal judiciary, and to provide a fair process for selecting nominees with the highest professional qualifications and attributes,” stated Senator Inouye. 
     
Senators Inouye and Akaka expect a robust and diverse pool of lawyers to apply, and look forward to ultimately receiving a stellar list of outstanding candidates from which they will make their selections, and will forward it to the White House for consideration. 

Nomination and application forms will be available within the next week on the websites of Senator Inouye, Senator Akaka and the Hawaii State Bar Association, or by writing to the Commission at the address below.  All names and completed application forms submitted to the Commission will be kept confidential by the Commission and must be delivered or mailed to the following address no later than Monday, April 2, 2012.