Posted on: Friday, September 17, 2004

EDITORIAL
Seabright nomination needs quick action

President Bush's nomination of Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Seabright as the fourth U.S. district judge for Hawai'i is good news for a sorely overburdened federal bench here.

Congress should act on the nomination swiftly.

Hawai'i has been without a full-time fourth federal district judge for more than four years. The delay is due to a combination of congressional politics and the long-delayed and ultimately withdrawn nomination of "Fritz" Rohlfing.

The shortage of judges has forced delays, particularly in federal civil trials. Chief U.S. District Judge David Ezra has described the situation as a "crisis."

The Senate should schedule a hearing for Seabright as soon as possible and, if it finds him qualified, place him on the bench forthwith.