David Y. Ige | Office of the Governor News Release: Governor Ige announces judicial appointments for Oʻahu, Maui, Hawaiʻi circuit courts

Governor’s Office News Release: Governor Ige Announces Appointments to the District Courts of Oahu, Maui, Hawaii

Posted on October 8, 2021 in News, Newsroom, Press Releases

HONOLULU – Governor David Ige today announced five judicial appointments to fill vacancies in the First District Court (Oahu), Second District Court (Maui) and Third District Court (Hawaii – Kona). The five appointees were each selected from five lists of candidates presented to the governor on September 13 by the state judicial selection committee.

DISTRICT COURT OF THE FIRST CIRCLE (Oahu):

Governor Ige made the following three appointments:

Clarissa Y. Malinao is appointed to fill the position vacated by District Judge Edwin C. Nacino’s retirement in 2020. Malinao is an individual attorney specializing in criminal law in state and federal courts. She has been the daily judge of the District Court of the First Circuit since 2019. Malinao was named Outstanding Pro Bono Attorney Honoree in 2020 for her honorary work at Volunteer Legal Services of Hawai’i. She earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Seattle University and her JD from Whittier Law School, California.

“I am grateful and truly humbled by the nomination of Governor Ige and I am delighted to have the opportunity to serve our community on First Circuit Court. I look forward to meeting members of the Senate as they review my nomination, ”said Malinao.

Kevin T. Morikone is appointed to fill the vacancy left by former District Judge Todd W. Eddins, who was appointed Associate Justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court in 2020. Morikone is currently a District First District Family Judge. Born and raised in Kaimuki, he graduated from Kalani High School and the University of Hawaiʻi in Mānoa with a BA in Political Science and a Certificate in Ethnology. Judge Morikone received his Juris Doctor from the William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaii, Mānoa. He is active in civil litigation and was appointed day judge of the family court in 2015.

“It is an honor to be nominated for this position by Governor Ige. I am grateful for this opportunity and look forward to meeting members of the Senate to review my nomination, ”said Morikone.

Shanlyn AS Park was appointed to the seat of former District Judge Karen T. Nakasone, who was appointed to the Intermediate Court of Appeals in 2020. Park is a freelance attorney specializing in insurance defense, commercial disputes, litigation probate, and criminal defense. She has a BA in English from Chaminade University and her Juris Doctor from the William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaii in Mānoa.

“I am grateful and humble about Governor Ige’s nomination as a judge on the First Circuit Court,” said Park.

­SECOND CIRCLE DISTRICT COURT (Maui):

Kirstin M. Hamman becomes the seat of District Judge Rhonda I. Loo, who retired in May. Hamman is a judge on the District Court of the Second Circuit. Before that, she specialized in family law and special education law in her own private law firm. She was also an attorney with the Maui Office of Council Services, the Public Defender’s Office, and the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii. Hamman is a graduate of the University of Hawaiʻi West Oʻahu and the William S. Richardson School of Law of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

“I am deeply honored. I would like to thank Governor Ige for his confidence in me. I look forward to meeting the Senate and serving the people of Hawaii as a district court judge, ”said Hamman.

THIRD CIRCLE DISTRICT COURT (Hawaii – Kona):

Wendy M. DeWeese is appointed to the seat previously held by District Judge Melvin H. Fujino, who retired in 2020. DeWeese is a judge at the District Third District Family Court. She received a BA from Pomona College, California and her Juris Doctor from Southwestern University School of Law. DeWeese was born in the United States but grew up in Europe, living and working in California before moving to Hawaii.

“In 2005, the Big Island welcomed me with open arms and has given me so much since then. I am just so grateful, honored, and humble to have the opportunity to give back to the community that has been so kind, generous, and inspiring to me, ”DeWeese said.

Prior to this appointment, Governor Ige carefully evaluated and examined the backgrounds and qualifications of all applicants presented to him by the state judicial selection committee.

All appointments require confirmation by the Senate.

** Headshots are included

** Resumes for all nominees are available upon request.

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Media contacts:

Jodi Leong

Deputy communications director / press officer

Office of governor

Office: 808-586-0043

[email protected]

Cindy McMillan

Communications director

Office of governor

Office: 808-586-0012

[email protected]

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