HAWAIʻI STATE SENATE CONFIRMS THREE JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS TO DISTRICT COURTS ON OʻAHU AND HAWAIʻI ISLAND

News Release from Hawaii State Senate

HONOLULU, HAWAIʻI - On Tuesday, April 7, 2026, the Hawaiʻi State Senate voted to confirm three judicial nominees to serve in the District Courts of the First and Third Circuits, following their appointments by Acting Chief Justice Sabrina S. McKenna. The nominations were reviewed and advanced by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, chaired by Senator Karl Rhoads.

The confirmations include two appointments to the District Court of the First Circuit (Oʻahu) and one appointment to the District Court of the Third Circuit (Hawaiʻi Island). Each appointee will serve a term of six years.

District Court of the First Circuit (Oʻahu)

Kirsha Kaulukane Milianani Durante serves as Litigation Director at the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, where she leads and manages the organization’s litigation work. She previously served as a Deputy Public Defender for more than 15 years, gaining extensive trial and appellate experience, including arguments before the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court and Intermediate Court of Appeals.

Ms. Durante earned her Bachelor of Arts from Brandeis University and her Juris Doctor from the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. She has been licensed to practice law in Hawaiʻi since 2004.

She is also deeply engaged in public service and community. Ms. Durante is a founding member of the Kalana Ola Compassionate Release Coalition and currently serves on the State’s Defender Council as a gubernatorial appointee. She is also active with the Native Hawaiian Bar Association, Mālama Honua Public Charter School Foundation, and the Judicial Administration Committee. Testimony submitted to the Committee highlighted her sound judgment, integrity, and deep compassion for the communities she serves.

Simeona Lynn Liliuokalani Ahuna Mariano has built a career in public service focused on the legal needs and well-being of families across Hawaiʻi. She currently serves as a Deputy Attorney General in the Family Law Division, where she handles family court matters statewide, including child welfare, juvenile law, truancy, and guardianship cases, as well as involuntary hospitalization proceedings. She has also served as lead counsel in child welfare proceedings and presented appeals before the Intermediate Court of Appeals.

Ms. Mariano earned a Bachelor of Science from Seattle University and her Juris Doctor from the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. She has been licensed to practice law in Hawaiʻi since 2004.

Her career also includes prosecuting felony and fraud cases in the Department of the Attorney General’s Criminal Justice Division and serving as a Special Prosecuting Attorney in Kauaʻi. Ms. Mariano also serves as the Oʻahu Director for the Hawaiʻi State Bar Association’s Board of Directors and is a member of several organizations, including the Judicial Administration Committee, Government Lawyers Section, Hawaiʻi Access to Justice, Hawaiʻi Filipino Lawyers Association, and Hawaiʻi Women Lawyers. Testimony submitted in support of Ms. Mariano highlights her courtesy and civility, even in difficult or adversarial situations, as well as her strong legal knowledge and deep commitment to public service.

District Court of the Third Circuit (Hawaiʻi Island)

Andrew Michael Kennedy is a partner at Schlueter, Kwiat & Kennedy LLLP, where he maintains an active trial practice with experience in both civil and criminal litigation. He has practiced law for over twenty years across multiple jurisdictions and has argued before the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court, including in notable appellate cases.

Mr. Kennedy earned his Bachelor of Arts from Villanova University and his Juris Doctor from Suffolk University School of Law. He has been licensed to practice law in Hawaiʻi since 2012 and is also admitted in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and New York.

In addition to his legal practice, Mr. Kennedy is active in public service and the legal community, including leadership roles with the West Hawaiʻi Bar Association and service on the State’s Defender Council. Testimony submitted in support of his nomination notes his integrity, professionalism, and calm, fair-minded approach.

“These nominees reflect the depth of legal talent and dedication to public service we have in Hawaiʻi,” said Senate Judiciary Chair Karl Rhoads. “Ms. Durante’s extensive trial experience and commitment to justice, Ms. Mariano’s years of service in protecting families and communities, and Mr. Kennedy’s leadership and breadth of legal practice across jurisdictions each bring valuable perspective to the bench. The Committee on Judiciary carefully reviewed their qualifications and is proud to advance these nominations for consideration by the full Senate.”

The nominations were submitted to the Acting Chief Justice by the Judicial Selection Commission on February 11, 2026. With these confirmations, Judges Durante, Mariano, and Kennedy will each serve a six-year term for the State of Hawaiʻi.

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Acting Chief Justice Appoints District Court Judges

News Release from Hawaii Judiciary, Mar 12, 2026

HONOLULU – Acting Chief Justice Sabrina S. McKenna today appointed two individuals to serve in the District Court of the First Circuit (island of Oʻahu), and one individual to serve in the District Court of the Third Circuit (island of Hawaiʻi). The appointees are:

District Court of the First Circuit

Kirsha Kaulukane Milianani Durante. Durante is currently the Litigation Director at Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, where she has worked since 2021. Prior to that she worked as a Deputy Public Defender with the Office of the Public Defender in Honolulu and as a law clerk to First Circuit Judge Marcia Waldorf. Her practice has been in both civil and criminal law across the state in administrative, agency and regulatory law; environmental law; complex civil litigation; land use; Native Hawaiian affairs focusing on rights and entitlement; land acquisition and claims; trust law; contracts; and criminal defense. She is a graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law and was admitted to the Hawaiʻi State Bar in 2004.

Simeona Lynn Liliuokalani Ahuna Mariano. Mariano has been a Deputy Attorney General with the Department of the Attorney General since 2007; currently in the Family Law Division handling family court matters statewide, child welfare matters, juvenile law violations, truancy, guardianships, and involuntary hospitalization hearings. Prior to that she was in its Criminal Justice Division, prosecuting felony cases at Honolulu International airport, welfare fraud cases, grand jury matters, and probation revocations proceedings. Mariano previously served as a Special Prosecuting Attorney with the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney on Kauaʻi handling district, family, and circuit court cases. Mariano is on the HSBA Board of Directors, a member of the Hawaiʻi Access to Justice Commission, the HSBA Judicial Administration Committee, and the Hawaiʻi Filipino Lawyers Association. She is a graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law and was admitted to the Hawaiʻi State Bar in 2004.

District Court of the Third Circuit

Andrew Michael Kennedy. Kennedy is a partner with the Kailua-Kona law firm of Schlueter, Kwiat & Kennedy, where he’s worked since 2018. Prior to that, he served as a Deputy Public Defender with the Department of the Public Defender in Kealakekua, as an associate with the law firm of June & Vasser in Kona, and as an attorney in New York and New Hampshire. He is a past president of the West Hawaiʻi Bar Association and currently serves as HSBA’s West Hawaiʻi Director. Kennedy is also a member of the United States District Court for the District of Hawaiʻi Criminal Justice Act Panel, a member of the Hawaiʻi Criminal Law Jury Instructions Committee, HSBA’s Diversity Equality and Access to Law Committee, and the Task Force of the Hawaiʻi Correctional Oversight Commission. Kennedy earned his law degree from Suffolk University School of Law in 2002 and was admitted to the Hawaiʻi Bar in 2012.

The Acting Chief Justice made these appointments from nomination lists presented to her by the Judicial Selection Commission on February 11, 2026. The appointments are subject to Senate confirmation, and if confirmed, each will serve a term of six years.

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Acting Chief Justice Seeks Public Comment on Judicial Nominees for the First and Third Circuits

News Release from Hawaii Judiciary, Feb 12, 2026

HONOLULU – Acting Chief Justice Sabrina S. McKenna announced today that she is seeking public comment on judicial nominees for two vacancies in the District Court of the First Circuit (Oʻahu) and one vacancy in the District Court of the Third Circuit (Hawaiʻi Island – Kona).

The names submitted for these vacancies by the Judicial Selection Commission, in alphabetical order, are:

DISTRICT COURT OF THE FIRST CIRCUIT (Oʻahu)

Earl Edward L. Aquino
Mr. Aquino is currently employed as a Deputy Public Defender with the Office of the Public Defender. Aquino is a graduate of Northeastern University School of Law, and was admitted to the Hawaiʻi State Bar in 1999.

Russ S. Awakuni
Mr. Awakuni is currently employed as the Managing Attorney at the Legal Aid Society of Hawaiʻi. Awakuni is a graduate of Loyola Law School, and was admitted to the Hawaiʻi State Bar in 1993.

William C. Bagasol
Mr. Bagasol is currently employed with the Law Office of William C. Bagasol, LLLC. He also serves as a Per Diem District Family Court Judge in the First Circuit. Bagasol is a graduate of the University of California Law, San Francisco, and was admitted to the Hawaiʻi State Bar in 1987.

Kyle T. Dowd
Mr. Dowd is currently employed with the Law Office of Kyle T. Dowd, LLLC. He also serves as a Per Diem District Family Court Judge in the First Circuit. Dowd is a graduate of Seattle University School of Law, and was admitted to the Hawaiʻi State Bar in 2011.

Kirsha K.M. Durante
Ms. Durante is currently employed as the Litigation Director of the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation. Durante is a graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law, and was admitted to the Hawaiʻi State Bar in 2004.

Chastity T. Imamura
Ms. Imamura is currently employed as a Hearings Officer with the Office of Dispute Resolution at the Department of the Attorney General. Imamura is a graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law, and was admitted to the Hawaiʻi State Bar in 2002.

Simeona L.L.A. Mariano
Ms. Mariano is currently employed as a Deputy Attorney General with the Department of the Attorney General. Mariano is a graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law, and was admitted to the Hawaiʻi State Bar in 2004.

Michelle K. Moorhead
Ms. Moorhead is currently employed as an attorney with Maximum Legal Services Corporation. She also serves as a Per Diem District Family Court Judge in the First Circuit. Moorhead is a graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law, and was admitted to the Hawaiʻi State Bar in 2013.

Scott M. Spallina
Mr. Spallina is currently employed as the Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney with the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney, City and County of Honolulu. Spallina is a graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law, and was admitted to the Hawaiʻi State Bar in 1995.

Dean K.K.O. Young
Mr. Young is currently employed as a Per Diem District Court Judge in the First Circuit, and as the General Manager of DSR dba Marlin Distributors and D’s Discount. Young is a graduate of McGeorge School of Law, and was admitted to the Hawaiʻi State Bar in 1996.

DISTRICT COURT OF THE THIRD CIRCUIT (Hawaiʻi Island – Kona)

Mark D. Disher
Ms. Disher is employed as a Deputy Corporation Counsel with the County of Hawaiʻi Office of the Corporation Counsel. Disher is a graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law, and was admitted to the Hawaiʻi State Bar in 2008.

Catherine E. Gibson
Ms. Gibson is employed with Catherine E. Gibson Law Corporation. Gibson is a graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law, and was admitted to the Hawaiʻi State Bar in 2013.

Andrew M. Kennedy
Mr. Kennedy is employed with Schlueter, Kwiat & Kennedy, LLLP. Kennedy is a graduate of Suffolk University School of Law, and was admitted to the Hawaiʻi State Bar
in 2012.

Charles E. Murray III
Mr. Murray is employed as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney with the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney, County of Hawaiʻi. Murray is a graduate of George Mason University Law School, and was admitted to the Hawaiʻi State Bar in 2015.

Dalilah E. Schlueter
Ms. Schlueter is currently employed with Dalilah E. Schlueter, Attorney at Law, LLLC. She also serves as a Per Diem District and District Family Court Judge in the Third Circuit. Schlueter is a graduate of the University of Montana School of Law, and was admitted to the Hawaiʻi State Bar in 2015.

Andrew D-I. Son
Mr. Son is currently employed as a Supervising Deputy Prosecuting Attorney with the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, County of Hawaiʻi. Son is a graduate of Loyola Law School, and was admitted to the Hawaiʻi State Bar in 2006.

The Acting Chief Justice has the discretion to assign judges to the district or district family court calendar, therefore, comments about the qualifications and character of any of the nominees with regard to either calendar assignment may be sent, in writing, to:

Acting Chief Justice Sabrina S. McKenna
Supreme Court of Hawaiʻi
417 South King Street
Honolulu, HI 96813

E-mail: chiefjustice@courts.hawaii.gov

Comments must be post-marked, e-mailed, or hand delivered no later than Friday, February 19, 2026. All comments will be kept confidential.

The individuals selected by the Acting Chief Justice are subject to Senate confirmation.

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Judicial Selection Commission Press Release - District Judge, District Court of the First Circuit (island of Oʻahu), State of Hawaiʻi Nominees (Release Date:  02/11/2026)

JSC Press Release, Feb 11, 2026

Under the Constitution of the State of Hawaiʻi, Article VI, Appointment of Justices and Judges, Section 3 (as amended by SB 2927 (2024) and election Nov. 5, 2024): “The chief justice, with the consent of the senate, shall fill a vacancy in the district courts by appointing a person from a list of not less than four and not more than six nominees for the vacancy presented to the chief justice by the judicial selection commission.”

The Judicial Selection Commission is pleased to announce a list of nominees for the judicial office of District Judge, District Court of the First Circuit (island of Oʻahu), State of Hawaiʻi.  The judicial office became vacant upon the elevation of former District Judge Karin L. Holma to the position of Circuit Judge of the Circuit Court of the First Circuit in May 2025.

The list of nominees selected by the Commission to fill the vacancy for the judicial office of District Judge in the District Court of the First Circuit are listed as follows in alphabetical order:

• Russ S. Awakuni
• William C. Bagasol
• Kyle T. Dowd
• Kirsha K. M. Durante
• Chastity T. Imamura
• Simeona L. L. A. Mariano

The Acting Chief Justice has 30 days from her receipt of the list today to make her appointment.

Statistics

• Total Applicants: 17; 5 Females; 12 Males
• First Time Applicants: 1
• Government Attorneys: 7
• Private Attorneys: 8
• Per Diem Judges: 5
• Other: 2
• Age Range: 1 (31-40); 8 (41-50); 7 (51-60); 1 (61-70)
• Years Licensed Range: 11 years to 31 years

Additional Information

• One (1) Applicant withdrew before meeting with the Judicial Selection Commission and is not included in the statistics above.
• Days in Recruitment: 90 days
• Meetings held and decision made in January 2026 with 7 Commissioners present.

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Judicial Selection Commission Press Release - District Judge, District Court of the First Circuit (island of Oʻahu), State of Hawaiʻi Nominees (Release Date:  02/11/2026) - Act 231 (SLH2025)

JSC Press Release, Feb 11, 2026

Under the Constitution of the State of Hawaiʻi, Article VI, Appointment of Justices and Judges, Section 3 (as amended by SB 2927 (2024) and election Nov. 5, 2024): “The chief justice, with the consent of the senate, shall fill a vacancy in the district courts by appointing a person from a list of not less than four and not more than six nominees for the vacancy presented to the chief justice by the judicial selection commission.”

The Judicial Selection Commission is pleased to announce a list of nominees for the new judicial office of District Judge, District Court of the First Circuit (island of Oʻahu), State of Hawaiʻi formed by the 2025 Legislature under Act 231, Session Laws of Hawaiʻi

The list of nominees selected by the Commission to fill the judicial office of District Judge in the District Court of the First Circuit are listed as follows in alphabetical order:

• Earl Edward L. Aquino
• Kirsha K. M. Durante
• Chastity T. Imamura
• Michelle K. Moorhead
• Scott M. Spallina
• Dean K. K. O. Young

The Acting Chief Justice has 30 days from her receipt of the list today to make her appointment.

Statistics

• Total Applicants: 27; 8 Females; 19 Males
• First Time Applicants: 5
• Government Attorneys: 10
• Private Attorneys: 13
• Per Diem Judges: 6
• Other: 4
• Age Range: 2 (31-40); 14 (41-50); 10 (51-60); 1 (61-70)
• Years Licensed Range: 10 years to 31 years

Additional Information

• One (1) Applicant withdrew before meeting with the Judicial Selection Commission and is not included in the statistics above.
• Days in Recruitment: 90 days
• Meetings held and decision made in January 2026 with 7 Commissioners present.

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Judicial Selection Commission Press Release - District Judge, District Court of the Third Circuit (Island of Hawaiʻi), State of Hawaiʻi Nominees (Release Date:  02/11/2026)

JSC Press Release, Feb 11, 2026

Under the Constitution of the State of Hawaiʻi, Article VI, Appointment of Justices and Judges, Section 3 (as amended by SB 2927 (2024) and election Nov. 5, 2024): “The chief justice, with the consent of the senate, shall fill a vacancy in the district courts by appointing a person from a list of not less than four and not more than six nominees for the vacancy presented to the chief justice by the judicial selection commission.”

The Judicial Selection Commission is pleased to announce a list of nominees for the new judicial office of District Judge, District Court of the Third Circuit (island of Hawaiʻi), State of Hawaiʻi formed by the 2025 Legislature under Act 232, Session Laws of Hawaiʻi

The list of nominees selected by the Commission to fill the judicial office of District Judge in the District Court of the Third Circuit are listed as follows in alphabetical order:

• Mark D. Disher
• Catherine E. Gibson
• Andrew M. Kennedy
• Charles E. Murray, III
• Dalilah E. Schlueter
• Andrew D. Son

The Acting Chief Justice has 30 days from her receipt of the list today to make her appointment.

Statistics

• Total Applicants: 9; 3 Females; 6 Males
• First Time Applicants: 3
• Government Attorneys: 4
• Private Attorneys: 5
• Per Diem Judges: 1
• Other: 0
• Age Range: 0 (31-40); 7 (41-50); 2 (51-60); 0 (61-70)
• Years Licensed Range: 11 years to 22 years

Additional Information

• Days in Recruitment: 90 days
• Meetings held and decision made in February 2026 with 5 Commissioners present.