GEORGE F. LEE / DEC. 10 Hawaii Supreme Court Associate Justice Sabrina S.McKenna makes an appearance in the Mililani High School gym in December to hear the case of Blosson Bell v. Hawaii Public Housing Authority. McKenna will begin serving as acting chief justice Oct. 1, following the retirement of Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald at the end of September.
GEORGE F. LEE / DEC. 10 Hawaii Supreme Court Associate Justice Sabrina S.McKenna makes an appearance in the Mililani High School gym in December to hear the case of Blosson Bell v. Hawaii Public Housing Authority. McKenna will begin serving as acting chief justice Oct. 1, following the retirement of Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald at the end of September.
Hawaii Supreme Court Associate Justice Sabrina McKenna will begin serving as acting chief justice Wednesday, following the retirement of Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald at the end of September, the state Judiciary announced Thursday.
“On behalf of all judiciary employees, the bar, and the entire State of Hawaii, I express our deepest appreciation to Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald for his Aloha Spirit-imbued leadership over the past 15 years, as well as his commitment to Access to Justice and the Rule of Law, ” McKenna said in a news release.
Recktenwald leaves the Supreme Court due to the state’s mandatory retirement age of 70 for justices and judges.
The Judical Selection Commission must now provide a list of four to six nominees to replace the chief justice. Gov. Josh Green will then select one of the nominees, who must be confirmed by the state Senate.
However, there are not enough nominees from which the governor can make a selection at this time.
McKenna is the longest-serving active jurist in the Judiciary, having also served in the district, circuit and family courts in the Oahu Circuit, including as senior family court judge, according to the release. She has served on the Hawaii Supreme Court since 2011.
“Justice McKenna is uniquely qualified to lead the Judiciary at this pivotal time, ” Recktenwald said. “She has served with distinction at nearly every level of our courts, and her deep experience and unwavering commitment to justice will guide us forward. I am excited she will have the opportunity to use that vast knowledge to lead the Judiciary.”
The Judiciary also announced the departure of Administrative Director of the Courts Rod Maile.
Brandon Kimura, who served as deputy administrative director of the courts, will succeed him Wednesday. Daylin-Rose Heather will serve as deputy.
McKenna thanked Maile for his dedicated leadership as administative director.
“I am extremely humbled and honored to be able to guide the Judiciary from October 1st until the next chief justice is sworn in, alongside Brandon, Daylin, and all our incredible and hard-working judges, administrators and employees, ” she said.
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