Man beats difficult life
to become district judge

Edwin C. Nacino went from Mayor Wright public housing to the Honolulu District Court bench.

Edwin Nacino: His compassion will serve him well, says a former law partner

"For me it's a local-boy-does-good success story," said attorney Derek Kobayashi, who attended the William S. Richardson School of Law with Nacino.

Nacino, 49, a former partner with the law firm of Roeca Louie & Hiraoka, will be sworn in today as a District Court judge.

Friends say Nacino's humble upbringing, work ethics, down-to-earth character and experiences in the criminal justice and legal system will make him a "people's judge."

Growing up in public housing likely helped to "ground" Nacino, said Kobayashi, who grew up in Kalihi not far from where Nacino was raised.

"Like myself, he's not from a family of great means, so we know what sacrifice is," Kobayashi said.

Nacino is a role model to Hawaii's youth and proof that a product of Hawaii's public school system can become a successful attorney and judge, he said.

Nacino does not dwell on how hard life was growing up, said family friend Sylvia Young. "He just really feels blessed about life turning out the way it has for him."

But that Nacino was able to succeed despite a tough upbringing does say a lot about him, colleagues say.

"He had all kinds of different paths to take, both good and bad, and he chose the good path," said former partner Keith Hiraoka.

"He understands the vagaries of life and what it's like to be in a situation where odds may be stacked against you, but he also understands from personal experience that you need to be strong enough to help yourself -- nobody's going to do it for you."

Nacino will bring to the bench his street smarts and compassion, understanding the impact his decisions will have on the parties involved, Hiraoka said. "It's important for a judge not only to make the right call, but understand how people will be affected."

At District Court -- where a bulk of the Judiciary's court cases are handled, including small claims, misdemeanor and traffic cases -- Nacino's grasp of legal issues gleaned from his public service as a former deputy prosecutor and private practice will serve him well, said former partner David Louie. "I think he will give everybody a fair hearing and base his rulings on the law and the facts, which is what he's supposed to do."

Nacino, through his wife, declined to comment for this story. Those who know him are not surprised, describing him as modest and private.

Even the Senate Judiciary Committee members were impressed. "He is such a very real person, and we believe he has the compassion, the patience and ability to be an excellent District Court judge," said Judiciary Chairwoman Colleen Hanabusa.