Hawaii's judicial landscape just received an important update as Governor Josh Green has announced the appointment of Karen T. Nakasone as the new Chief Judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals (ICA). Nakasone takes over the role following the advancement of Judge Lisa M. Ginoza to Associate Justice of the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court. Governor Green expressed his confidence in Nakasone's capabilities, highlighting her "hard work and stellar track record" as per the Office of the Governor. Her peers also reportedly voiced significant backing of her suitability for this new position.
The path to this milestone for Nakasone has been marked by years of dedicated service within the state's legal framework. She was initially appointed to the Circuit Court on O‘ahu on November 1, 2011, by then-governor Neil Abercrombie and has since shouldered responsibilities in both Civil and Criminal Divisions over nine years. Before clinching the seat at the Circuit Court, Nakasone honed her expertise as a criminal trial and appellate lawyer, with a fifteen-year tenure at the State Office of the Public Defender. Her academic credentials span from her study at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa to an overseas enrichment at the University of the Ryukyus in Japan – the latter made possible through a scholarship recognizing her Okinawan heritage.
The new Chief Judge Nakasone reflected on her appointment as "a tremendous honor, challenge and responsibility", according to the Office of the Governor. She communicated a heartfelt gratitude for the trust placed in her by Governor Green and conveyed eagerness to further contribute to the Hawaiian judiciary, a cause she "care very deeply about." The upcoming Senate confirmation process is the final step before her reprised role as Chief Judge becomes official.
Judge Nakasone's promotion marks a significant step in her career and contributes to improving gender balance in Hawaii's judiciary. Under Governor Green’s recent appointments, the state's courts will have 41 women and 38 men. This is a notable shift, given the gender disparities recognized by the American Bar Association. The Office of the Governor emphasized the importance of careful, balanced judicial appointments, stating, "It has always been my priority to achieve male and female balance on the bench — and to get there with great attention to each appointee’s qualifications and careful deliberation, much the same way a judge makes decisions." Nakasone's promotion reflects both her personal accomplishments and Hawaii's commitment to a diverse legal system.
