Kailua man nominated for U.S. marshal

By Shayna Coleon
Advertiser Staff Writer

President Bush has nominated a state Sheriff's Department sergeant as the U.S. marshal for Hawai'i and sent his name to the U.S. Senate yesterday for confirmation.

Mark "Dutchie" Hanohano, 41, sergeant and watch commander at Honolulu International Airport for the state Sheriff's Department, would have duties that include protect-ing federal judges, court security, transporting federal prisoners and serving arrest warrants.

"I am very honored that the Hawai'i Republican Party has faith in me," Hanohano said. "I know if I receive the position, it would not be a problem for me to do the job well, since my duties at the Sheriff's Department mirrors the duties of a marshal. The only difference is that as U.S. marshal, I am working at a federal level."

The Kailua man was suggested last February by Linda Lingle, former Republican Party chairwoman and a Republican candidate for governor. "Dutchie has made such a strong commitment to the law enforcement and to the people of Hawai'i that I couldn't think of anyone else who was more deserving of a nomination," Lingle said.

Hanohano said he joined the Hawai'i Republican Party five years ago for its family values. Hanohano has two children and his wife, Melanie, is a teacher at Kailua Elementary School. Hanohano also is coach for youth basketball, football and baseball in Kailua.

"When Linda Lingle ran for governor and Micah Kane became the chair of the Hawai'i party, I felt that they were genuine and real," Hanohano said. "It felt like a real family, and I wanted to make sure I could help them as much as I could."

Hawai'i Republican officials said it was unclear as to when the Senate would vote on the nomination, but Hanohano said he patiently waits on a day-to-day basis.

"Let's just say, 'we'll see,' and we'll leave it up to God," Hanohano said. "Just being nominated has been a humbling experience, and it would be a privilege to serve the people of Hawai'i."

The U.S. marshal position is one of the presidential federal "patronage" jobs available in Hawai'i.

Bush has also nominated attorney Richard "Rick" Clifton to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and attorney Frederick W. "Fritz" Rohlfing III to the U.S. District Court bench in Hawai'i. Both nominations are pending before the U.S. Senate.