Posted on: Tuesday, March 22, 2005

Senate OKs Kaua'i judicial nominee

By Derrick DePledge
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

The state Senate voted unanimously yesterday to confirm Kathleen Watanabe, the state human resources director, as a Circuit Court judge on Kaua'i.

The vote was delayed so Watanabe's two daughters, attending college on the Mainland, could return home to see their mother confirmed. The girls, Watanabe's husband, Wayne, her mother and other family and friends watched as the Senate voted 24-0.

"I am very humbled and very pleased," Watanabe said after receiving a hug from Gov. Linda Lingle.

Watanabe is the director of the state Department of Human Resources Development and a former deputy attorney general. She was also a per-diem judge on Kaua'i and a former Kaua'i County attorney.

The Hawai'i State Bar Association rated her qualified for the 10-year term on the bench.

Senators described her as bright and articulate, with the temperament, character and people skills for a judgeship. "She'll make an excellent judge," said state Sen. Sam Slom, R-8th (Kahala, Hawai'i Kai).

Watanabe graduated from the University of Puget Sound and earned her law degree at the University of Hawai'i. She grew up on Kaua'i and graduated from Kapa'a High School.

"She has done her school and her island proud," said Sen. Gary Hooser, D-7th (Kaua'i, Ni'ihau).

Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8070.