STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3839

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    JUD. COM. NO. 6

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred Judiciary Communication No. 6, submitting for study and consideration the appointment of: 

 

District Court of the Second Circuit

 

J.C. No. 6

KIRSTIN M. HAMMAN,

for a term to expire in 6 years,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by Kirstin M. Hamman for service on the District Court of the Second Circuit, State of Hawaii.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the appointment of Kirstin M. Hamman from Hawaii Women Lawyers, two members of the County Council of the County of Maui, and five individuals.  Your Committee received comments on the appointment of Kirstin M. Hamman from the Hawaii State Bar Association.

 

     The Hawaii State Bar Association Board of Directors (HSBA Board) found the appointee to be qualified for the position of District Court Judge, Second Circuit Court, based on established criteria for determining the qualifications of judicial and executive appointments generally utilizing the American Bar Association Guidelines for Reviewing Qualifications of Candidates for State Judicial Office.  Those Guidelines include the following criteria, which are not exclusive:  integrity and diligence, legal knowledge and ability, professional experience, judicial temperament, financial responsibility, public service, health, and ability to fulfill the responsibilities and duties required of the position for which the applicant has been appointed.  The HSBA Board ratings system includes the categories of "qualified" and "not qualified".

 

     Kirstin M. Hamman received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Hawaii West Oahu and was on the Dean's List.  She later received her Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the William S. Richardson School of Law where she was part of the National Moot Court Team and served as a law clerk with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission.  Since 2014, she has served as a per diem District Court Judge in the District Court of the Second Circuit while continuing her private practice as a solo practitioner.

 

     Ms. Hamman has been a solo practitioner since 2013, and has practiced primarily in the areas of family law and special education law.  She has litigated divorce, custody, and paternity matters in Family Court, and has litigated administrative due process hearings and federal court appeals under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Americans with Disabilities Act.  As a per diem District Court Judge, Ms. Hamman has presided over district court traffic, criminal, and civil calendars.  Ms. Hamman has also served as a Legislative Attorney in the Office of Council Services of Maui County, where she assisted the County Council, the Council's committees, and Council members to carry out their legislative duties; conducted legal research and writing; and reviewed and drafted legislation, contracts, committee reports, press releases, speeches, and other Council member correspondence.

 

     Ms. Hamman has been actively involved in the legal community throughout her career, including as the secretary of the Maui County Bar Association and as a member of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates.  In addition, she has served as a member of the Board of Horizons' Academy of Maui.

 

     Testimony submitted in support of Ms. Hamman's appointment commends her professionalism, expertise, and deep foundation of knowledge in her role as a legislative attorney, as well as her involvement in public service.  She has been active in the community throughout her career, and has served on the Maui County Commission on Children and Youth since 2016.  Several testifiers additionally noted her compassion and fairness in her service as a per diem judge.

 

     Your Committee finds that based on the testimony submitted on her behalf, Ms. Hamman has the experience, temperament, judiciousness, and other competencies to serve as a Judge of the District Court of the Second Circuit.

 

     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, experience, and qualifications of the appointee, has found the appointee to be qualified for the position to which appointed and recommends that the Senate consent to the appointment.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair