Possible Hawai'i appointees may hear from president soon

By Walter Wright
Advertiser Staff Writer

President Bush could nominate Honolulu attorney Richard "Rick" Clifton to a vacancy on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals as early as today, State Bush Campaign Chairwoman Barbara Marumoto said yesterday.

The FBI has begun background screening here of two other possible appointees backed by Marumoto — former deputy county prosecutor Randal Yoshida for lifetime appointment as

U.S. District Court judge in Hawai'i, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo for the top job in that office. Clifton is the attorney for the state Republican Party. Yoshida was counsel for the Bush campaign here.

Marumoto also said President Bush has named Hilo businesswoman Lorraine Shin to become director of rural development for the United States Department of Agriculture, and that former state House and Senate minority leader Mike Liu has been nominated for assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. If confirmed, Liu would be the highest ranking person from Hawai'i in the Bush administration, Marumoto said.

The campaign leader said she is advancing a name for U.S. Marshal, but declined to identify the candidate.

If Bush moves on the appointments, that would be a disappointment to State Republican Party Linda Lingle, whose candidates for the several spots appear to have been passed over.

Lingle, who is expected to run for governor next year, could not be reached yesterday.

Marumoto acknowledged that Hawai'i Sens. Dan Inouye and Daniel Akaka could play a major role in consideration of all nominees in the Senate, particularly those to the judiciary.

She said she plans meetings with the senators here in July, and that she understands the White House will consult with the senators in Washington.