Updated at 8:52 p.m., Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Bennett reconfirmed as Hawai'i attorney general
Associated Press
The state Senate unanimously confirmed Mark Bennett today to serve a second four-year term as Hawai'i's attorney general.Bennett has "the brains, heart and guts" to take on the job, said Sen. Russell Kokubun, D-2nd (S. Hilo, Puna, Ka'u).
"Mark Bennett raises the play of everyone he comes into contact with," Kokubun said. "He makes everyone perform at a much higher standard."
The only criticism of Bennett came from the Judiciary and Labor Committee's report, which raised concerns about nepotism in the attorney general's office.
Patricia Ohara, Bennett's wife, is a deputy attorney general and has worked in the office since before he took the job.
"To the extent that the attorney general or his spouse feel that the concerns expressed are personal attacks on them, I offer a personal apology to them," said Sen. Clayton Hee, D-23rd (Kahuku, Kane'ohe), chairman of the committee.
