The council submits slates of nominees for each position and the governor fills vacancies on the commissions from the names supplied by the Judicial Council.

The Ethics Commission enforces provisions of the state ethics code, which applies to legislators, lobbyists and state employees except judges, who are overseen by a different commission.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens and, if appointed, cannot take "an active part in political management or political campaigns," according to the Hawaii constitution.

The Campaign Spending Commission supervises political campaign donations and expenditures. Commissioners may not participate in campaigns or make political donations.

Applications must include a resume and three letters of recommendation (attesting to character and integrity) and must be submitted to the Judicial Council by Feb. 15.