Ige Considers Nominees for Circuit Court Vacancy

The Judicial Selection Commission has provided a list of four nominees for a vacancy on the Circuit Court of the Second Circuit on Maui. 

The judicial office has been vacant since Circuit Judge Joseph E. Cardoza retired in June. 

Here is a list of the nominees:  

Lance D. Collins is an attorney in private practice who is also an instructor at the Office of Continuing Education/Legal Clerk Certificate Program at the University of Hawai‘i Maui College. Collins earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Hawai‘i William S. Richardson School of Law. He also earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees as well as a Ph.D. from the University of Hawai‘i.

Kelsey T. Kawano currently serves as a deputy chief judge and district judge. He previously worked as an attorney in private practice. Kawano earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Washington, School of Law. He also earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. 

Alvin P.K. Nishimura is an attorney in private practice as well as a judge, per diem, with the District Court of the First Circuit on O‘ahu. Nishimura earned his Juris Doctor degree at the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawai‘i Mānoa. He also attended the University of Colorado at Boulder and UH Mānoa, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Political Science.

Bryant G.V. Zane is an attorney who currently serves as a deputy public defender on O‘ahu. He attended Loyola Marymount University and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Zane also earned his Juris Doctor degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C.

Gov. Ige will interview each nominee and is seeking public comment online. 

The governor has 30 days, or until Oct. 18 to make his appointment, which is subject to Senate confirmation.