The U.S. Senate has confirmed Florence "Flo" Nakakuni as the next U.S. attorney for the District of Hawai'i, Sens. Daniel K. Inouye and Daniel K. Akaka announced yesterday.

Nakakuni, a graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawai'i, is Hawai'i's first female U.S. attorney. She has worked as an assistant U.S. attorney in the District of Hawai'i since 1985.

"Flo Nakakuni is deserving of this honor, and I am confident that her considerable legal experience and success as a federal prosecutor will help her handle this great responsibility," Inouye said.

"I called Flo Nakakuni to send my congratulations to on her unanimous confirmation," Akaka said. "Her long career in the Hawai'i U.S attorney's office will serve her well as she takes on these new responsibilities."

Nakakuni was nominated July 14 and replaces Edward H. Kubo Jr., who has been U.S. attorney since 2001.