Ed Kubo, former U.S. attorney for Hawaii, is now a state judge with a 10-year term.

The state Senate voted 24-1 to confirm his appointment, with Sen. Les Ihara as the sole “;no”; vote.

“;I felt like I had just finished one of my murder trials and the jury was about to come in,”; Kubo said following the vote yesterday. “;My only role is to make sure that I work as hard as I can and not misplace the trust that was given to me.”;

Kubo's nomination last week appeared in trouble as the Senate Judiciary Committee was deadlocked with three votes for and three against Kubo.

Judiciary Chairman Brian Taniguchi (D, Manoa) said he was concerned that Kubo had not disclosed three minor judicial reprimands. But after meeting privately Tuesday with Kubo, Taniguchi said he would vote for him.

Ihara (D, Kaimuki-Palolo) said he was against Kubo because during his confirmation hearing, Kubo mentioned that someone who testified against him had been treated by a psychiatrist.

“;In this state we have a right to privacy,”; Ihara said. “;I believe the actions are unbecoming of a judge of the state of Hawaii.”;

During the debate, GOP Sen. Sam Slom (R, Diamond Head-Hawaii Kai) said Kubo was one of the best court nominations he had seen.

    Ed Kubo receives circuit court judgeship

 

 

 

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“;We would be foolish not to confirm this man for this job. We are just lucky to have him — this humble local man can serve justice for all of us,”; Slom said.

Kubo's backers held a rally for him at the Capitol on Tuesday and argued he should be approved based on his record of community involvement and work against the spread of crystal methamphetamine.

“;He has a passion for public service. He's fair, he's honest and he's humble,”; said Mary Jean Castillo-Barkley, publisher of “;Hawaii's Most Wanted”; magazine.

Support came from the Hawaii State Bar Association, public defenders, city prosecutors and mayors.

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Star-Bulletin reporter Richard Borreca and the Associated Press contributed to this report.