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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, February 20, 2005

Kapa'a graduate picked for bench seat

Advertiser Staff

Kathleen N. A. Watanabe, the state Human Resources director, was named a judge on the 5th Circuit Court on Kaua'i by Gov. Linda Lingle yesterday. Her appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.

Watanabe
Watanabe, who served as a per diem judge for the District Court of the 5th Circuit from 1995 to 1998 and as Kaua'i County attorney from 1990 to 1994, will fill the seat vacated when Judge Clifford Nakea retired.

"Kathy has an outstanding work ethic, she treats people with fairness, respect and compassion, and her integrity is beyond reproach," said Lingle.

Watanabe has been the director of the state Department of Human Resources Development since January 2003. Prior to that she headed the department's Employee Relations Division, which involved overseeing labor relations issues, negotiation of collective bargaining agreements, employee relations, benefits, training and safety.

Watanabe is a graduate of the University of Hawai'i William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Puget Sound and Kapa'a High School.

She was selected from a list of six candidates that was submitted this month by the Judicial Selection Commission. Watanabe is Lingle's seventh appointee to the Circuit Court.