Lingle seeks input on judicial pick

Gov. Linda Lingle has 30 days to choose from a list of six candidates sent to her by the Judicial Selection Commission to fill a vacancy on the Intermediate Court of Appeals.

The vacancy was created by the death in June of John Lim.

Lingle said she was making the list public to receive comment on the background and qualifications of the six.

After she makes her nomination, the state Senate has 30 days to go into special session to confirm or reject the nomination.

The list has already drawn support from Senate President Colleen Hanabusa, who said, "I think they are all very good."

"The governor has an excellent list to select from. I believe that if she selects any one of them, it will be an asset to the Court of Appeals," Hanabusa said.

The six referred to Lingle for nomination are:

» Randal Lee, Oahu circuit judge, former deputy prosecuting attorney.

» Katherine Leonard, an attorney with Carlsmith Ball and a member of the American Judicature Society.

» Sabrina McKenna, Oahu circuit judge, former district judge and assistant law professor at the University of Hawaii law school.

» Steven Nakashima, attorney with Marr Hipp Jones and Pepper, former district judge.

» Michael Tanigawa, director of the law firm of Char Sakamoto Ishii Lum and Ching, adjunct professor at UH law school.

» Frances Wong, Oahu circuit judge and former District Family Court judge.