Posted on: Friday, May 17, 2002

Administrator of courts resigning

By David Waite
Advertiser Courts Writer

After spending just seven months on the job, state courts administrative director Walter Ozawa is stepping down, saying he lacks the legal skills that the job demands.

Chief Justice Ronald Moon of the Hawai'i Supreme Court announced yesterday that former courts administrator Michael Broderick will return to the position June 10.

Moon said Ozawa will stay on with the judiciary as deputy administrative director.

In a letter he sent to Moon, Ozawa said he felt that his lack of a law degree is a hindrance.

"While I have made good headway in executing the requirements of the position, the continuing restructuring efforts of the judiciary requires a full and uncompromising understanding of the legal process and structure of the courts," Ozawa said in his letter to Moon.

Moon said that while having "specific skills in law" is not a requirement for the position of courts administrative director, he understood Ozawa's frustration in "attempting to carry out his duties while simultaneously learning about the law, the legal process and the infrastructure of the courts."

Ozawa told Moon that the rate of changes that need to be made within the state judiciary was being slowed "by my lack of grounding in the law."

Ozawa served as city parks director during the administration of former Mayor Frank Fasi and was director of the state Office of Veterans Services prior to being named courts administrative director.

Moon said that he personally asked Broderick to return to the position and that Broderick agreed, even though it will mean a financial sacrifice.