OTHER NEWS
Lingle releases lists of judicial candidates

Advertiser Staff

Gov. Linda Lingle yesterday released two lists of names from which she will pick two circuit judges for Maui and the Big Island to fill newly created positions.

Among the names for the Maui position is Richard Bissen Jr., Lingle's acting director of Public Safety.

The 10-year appointments are subject to Senate approval.

The two lists, which both have six names, are from the Judicial Selection Commission, which screens applicants and submits nominees to the governor.

Lingle is disclosing the names before she makes the selection "in her continuing effort to maintain openness in her administration," her office said.

The governor has to make the selection 30 days from Dec. 21, when she received the names.

In addition to Bissen, the five others for the Maui circuit are Jan K. Apo, lawyer; Mimi DesJardins, lawyer; Jerry Hupp, deputy prosecutor; Kelsey Kawano, attorney; and Rhonda Loo, district court judge.

The six names submitted for the Big Island judgeship are Aley K. Auna Jr., Family Court judge; Peter Bresciani, deputy public defender; Harry Freitas, deputy corporation counsel; Melvin Fujino, deputy prosecutor; John L. Olson, lawyer; and Elizabeth Strance, attorney and part-time district judge.

Comments on the candidates can be sent to Governor.Lingle@hawaii.gov or faxed to (808) 586-0006. The comments should be submitted by Jan. 10, the governor's office said.