Governor Appoints Judge Loo to 2nd Circuit Court

By Wendy Osher

Judge Rhonda Loo, courtesy photo.

Governor Neil Abercrombie today announced the appointment of Rhonda Iwalani Lai Loo as his selection for Judge of the Second Circuit Court on Maui.

Loo fills the vacancy left by the retirement of Judge Joel E. August last month.  Joe Wildman was initially selected for the post, but he withdrew his nomination last week citing “an unresolved situation” with his law firm as his reason to forgo consideration to the post.

Loo, 49, currently serves as District Judge of the Second Circuit Court.  She previously worked as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the County of Maui and served as a Law Clerk to the Honorable E. John McConnell.  She is licensed to practice in the Supreme Court of Hawai’i and the U.S. District Court, Hawai’i.

“This appointment is a natural step forward for Judge Loo who has worked hard over the years in serving within the state’s court system,” said Gov. Abercrombie.

Loo graduate of the University of Oregon and earned her JD from the William S. Richardson School of Law.   She is a member of the Hawai’i State Trial Judges Association, Maui County Bar Association, and the Hawai’i State Bar Association.

The appointed 10 year term is still subject to state Senate confirmation.

*** Supporting information courtesy Office of the Governor State of Hawaii.