Lingle names
6 candidates
for Maui judge

CORRECTION Thursday, December 30, 2004 » Hawaii County Deputy Corporation Counsel Harry Freitas is among the nominees for judge in the Big Island Circuit Court. A Page A4 in Tuesday's early edition incorrectly listed his first name as Harvey. Also, the fax number to comment on nominees for Circuit Court judgeships on Maui and the Big Island is 586-0006. The story gave a wrong number. The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Editor Frank Bridgewater at 529-4791 or email him at corrections@starbulletin.com.

WAILUKU » The acting director of the state Department of Public Safety is among a field of six candidates selected as nominees to fill a new position as a Maui Circuit Court judge.

Richard Bissen was among those selected by the state Judicial Selection Commission to fill a fourth spot in the Maui Circuit.

The Maui Circuit currently has three judges: Shackley Raffetto, Joseph Cardoza and Joel August.

Under state law, the governor has 30 days from receipt of the commission list last Tuesday to make her selection. Her appointments are subject to confirmation by the state Senate.

Bissen is a former prosecutor in Maui County and a former first deputy attorney general for the state. He was once in private law practice on Maui under the partnership of Cardoza, Fukuoka & Bissen.

The other nominees, announced yesterday by Gov. Linda Lingle's administration, are:

Other nominees include Melvin Fujino, a deputy prosecuting attorney and former U.S. federal magistrate in Spokane, Wash.; Elizabeth Strance, a per-diem judge for the Big Island Circuit, District and Family courts; Deputy Corporation Counsel Harvey Freitas, formerly a deputy prosecuting attorney and deputy public defender; state Deputy Public Defender Peter Bresciani, a former partner with Tamburello, Hanlon & Bresciani of San Francisco; and John Olson, private attorney since 1978 and a former deputy public defender.

The Big Island also has three circuit judges: Greg Nakamura, Glenn Hara and Ronald Ibarra.

Public comments on the nominees should be submitted by Jan. 10 and may be sent via e-mail to Governor.Lingle@hawaii.gov or by fax to 808-588-0006.