STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2834

                                    Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                      , 2000

                                    RE: GOV. MSG. NO. 155
                                        




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred
Governor's Message No. 155, submitting for study and
consideration the nomination of:

DEFENDER COUNCIL

     G.M. No. 155     DANA S. ISHIBASHI, for a term to expire
                      June 30, 2002;

begs leave to report as follows:

     Upon review of the statement submitted by the nominee, your
Committee finds that the aforementioned nominee is a volunteer,
is willing to serve without compensation, and will work with
compassion and commitment to assist in administering various
government functions.  Your Committee further finds that the
nominee has been appointed based upon his professional
credentials, integrity, and a desire to make Hawaii better
through his participation on the Defender Council.

     Your Committee notes the following specific qualifications
of the nominee:

     Dana S. Ishibashi holds a B.A. degree from the University of
Hawaii at Manoa, and a J.D. degree from the University of
Hawaii's Richardson School of Law.  He has been in private
practice since 1992, and is a member of several professional and
community affiliations including:  the Permanent Committee of the
Hawaii Rules of Penal Procedure; the 1994 HSBA Criminal Justice
Section Secretary; Kalihi Palama Community Mental Health Center;
and the DHS Vocational Rehabilitation Services for the Blind.

 
                                    STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2834
                                    Page 2


     Testimony in support of the nominee was submitted by the
State's Chief Deputy Public Defender and a deputy Public
Defender.  All testimony unanimously supported the nomination of
Mr. Ishibashi by indicating that he is a hard worker, a zealous
advocate for his clients, and a person of high moral character
which highly qualifies him for the position to which he has been
nominated. 

     Your Committee diligently questioned the nominee about his
qualifications, what qualities he would look for in a new Public
Defender, and his passion for equal rights issues.  Your
Committee believes that the nominee adequately responded to the
Committee's inquiries. 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your
Committee, after full consideration of the background, character,
experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the
nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and
recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Judiciary,



                                   ______________________________
                                   AVERY B. CHUMBLEY, Co-Chair



                                   ______________________________
                                   MATTHEW M. MATSUNAGA, Co-Chair