Senate committee
confirms governor’s
judicial nominees

Gov. Linda Lingle's nominees to Circuit Court judgeships on Oahu and Kauai sailed through confirmation hearings before a Senate committee yesterday.

The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved the nominations of Honolulu Deputy Prosecutor Randal Lee to the bench in Honolulu, and Department of Human Resources Development Director Kathleen Watanabe on Kauai.

The one-hour hearing stood in stark contrast to that of Lingle's last judicial nominee, Deputy Attorney General Rick Bissen, who was questioned over two days and sharply criticized by senators for failing to disclose an unfavorable court ruling that criticized his legal performance.

Bissen ultimately was confirmed to the Maui Circuit Court by a 24-1 vote, with Sen. Clayton Hee casting the lone "no."

Yesterday, Hee applauded Lee for being forthright in disclosing a 1991 case he prosecuted that was overturned by the state Supreme Court.

Lee said he was open about the case even though the court did not discipline or criticize his actions in the case.

"We learned from the previous experience, and, right or wrong, it made us better," Lee said, referring to Bissen's nomination.

"Sen. Hee just wants people to be honest and open, and that's expected," Lee added later. "I had no problems with the disclosure because in the abundance of caution, I think it's better to disclose it than not disclose it."

Lee is perhaps best known for taking the lead in the prosecution of illegal campaign contributions uncovered by the Campaign Spending Commission and Executive Director Robert Watada.

Honolulu Prosecutor Peter Carlisle had said he was concerned that Lee's nomination might be in trouble because the deputy might have "ruffled feathers at very high levels."

Lee said he never worried about that. "I don't see myself as controversial," he said. "I just do my work."

As with Lee, virtually all of the testimony submitted for Watanabe was in favor of her confirmation.

Watanabe, who has been a member of Lingle's Cabinet since the governor's election in 2002, had the support of fellow Cabinet members, including Attorney General Mark Bennett, Budget Director Georgina Kawamura and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Director Mark Recktenwald, all of whom testified in her support.

"I'm just very relieved that the Senate committee has shown their confidence in me," Watanabe said. "I know it's a huge job and responsibility, but I'm looking forward to it."

The full Senate will vote on the two nominees.