Panel OKs nominee
for judgeGlenn Hara, a Hilo lawyer, is
nominated for a Big Island post
A Senate committee is recommending approval of Hilo attorney Glenn Hara as a judge in the Third Circuit Court on the Big Island.
"I'm really looking forward to getting on the job and hopefully meeting the expectations of all of those who supported me," Hara said after yesterday's hearing.
Hara's nomination comes after the Senate went against the recommendation of the Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee last month and rejected Gov. Linda Lingle's first nominee, attorney Ted Hong.
Lingle criticized the move as politically motivated. Hong, the state's chief negotiator, was one of several prominent Democrats who campaigned for Lingle in 2002.
Hara, who has practiced in both criminal and civil law and also served as a per diem District Court judge, is the son of former Democratic state Sen. Stanley Hara.
He said he does not expect Hong's rejection to affect his nomination.
"There was a separate decision in one situation and another decision in the next," he said. "I would think that both of those decisions were independent of each other."
Many senators who voted against Hong cited the Hawaii State Bar Association's rating of him as "not qualified" because he lacked the temperament to serve as a judge. The bar's evaluation process has been criticized by some, including Judiciary Chairwoman Colleen Hanabusa and Lingle, because it allows members to anonymously submit comments on the nominee.
Unlike Hong, Hara received a rating of "highly qualified."
The committee recommended Hara's approval to a 10-year term by a vote of 7-0. The nomination now goes to the Senate floor for a final vote, which is expected Wednesday.
At that time, senators also are expected to take up the nomination of attorney Barbara Takase to a District Court judicial post on the Big Island. Her nomination to a six-year term also was recommended by a committee vote of 7-0.
Takase, who was nominated by Hawaii Chief Justice Ronald Moon, has worked as an attorney in private practice and also with the Hawaii County prosecutor's office. She also has served as a per diem District Court judge.
"I'm excited about taking on this position," Takase said. "I look forward to serving the community of Hilo and the Big Island."