GOVERNOR NOMINATES KUBO AS CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE

Governor Linda Lingle today nominated former U.S. Attorney Edward H. Kubo, Jr. to serve as a Circuit Court judge of the First Circuit (O‘ahu).  If confirmed by the State Senate, Kubo will fill the vacant seat created by the retirement of Judge Frances Wong.

Lingle released a statement in support of her nomination saying, “Ed Kubo has dedicated his career to upholding the law and defending the public against crime.  He has a well-rounded legal background that includes extensive experience as the United States’ chief federal law enforcement officer and principal litigator in Hawai‘i, a prosecuting attorney for the city and a private practice trial attorney.  Ed has been an exemplary public servant and an outstanding citizen who is committed to improving our community and I am confident he will continue to serve the public well as a Circuit Court judge.”

Kubo served as U.S. Attorney for the District of Hawai‘i from 2001 to October 2009, and prior to that was Assistant U.S. Attorney for 11 years.  During his tenure with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Kubo focused on federal criminal investigations including white collar crimes, mortgage fraud, civil rights violations, tax evasion, corruption, crimes on government installations and violent crimes.  He also covered federal civil areas including fraud against government, employment discrimination, medical malpractice defense and defense of military initiatives.  Other areas involved federal criminal narcotics enforcement and organized crime, including international drug trafficking, court-approved wiretaps, complex conspiracies, financial investigations and forfeiture of property, and racketeering prosecutions.

Kubo previously worked as a deputy prosecuting attorney in the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of the Prosecuting Attorney from 1980 to 1983 and 1985 to 1990.  He also was an associate trial attorney with the law firm Carlsmith and Dwyer and a law clerk with the law firm Kobayashi and Watanabe.

Kubo earned his law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Hawai‘i.

Governor Lingle selected Kubo from a list of six candidates submitted to her by the Judicial Selection Commission on December 11, 2009.

Since taking office in December 2002, Governor Lingle has appointed 13 judges to the Circuit Court.  She also has named two justices to the Hawai‘i Supreme Court and four judges to the Intermediate Court of Appeals.

(File Image Courtesy State of Hawaii)