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Governor Ige appoints Kelsey Kawano to Maui’s Circuit Court

HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige has appointed Judge Kelsey Kawano to fill the vacancy on the Circuit Court of the Second Circuit (Maui). The judicial office has been vacant since the retirement of Circuit Judge Joseph E. Cardoza in June 2019.

Kawano currently serves as deputy chief judge and district judge at the District Court of the Second Circuit. He previously worked as an attorney in private practice. Kawano earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Washington, School of Law. He also earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. 


Kawano was one of four nominees chosen by the Judicial Selection Commission. The commission submitted the names to Gov. Ige on Sept. 20. The governor conducted interviews and reviewed public comments on the nominees before making his selection.


Kawano’s appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.



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