Judicial Selection Commission reveals nominee list for judge vacancy on Maui

The Judicial Selection Commission announced its list of six nominees for the vacancy of the District Judge of the Second Circuit on Maui.

The judicial office has been vacant since December 2021, when former District Judge Kirstin M. Hamman was elevated to Circuit Judge of the Circuit Court of the Second Circuit.

The six nominees were chosen from a pool of 11 applicants. Listed in alphabetical order, they are:

• Lauren M. Akitake:  She is currently employed with the Law Office of Lauren M. Akitake, LLLC, and serves as a Per Diem Judge in the District Court of the Second Circuit. She is a graduate of the University of Kansas School of Law, and was admitted to the Hawaiii State Bar in 2007.

• Annalisa M. Bernard (Lee): Bernard is currently employed at Wong Leong Cuccia, LLLC. She is a graduate of the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law, and was admitted to the Hawaii State Bar in 2005.

• Lance D Collins: He is currently employed with the Law Office of Lance D. Collins, and serves as a Per Diem Judge in the District Court of the Second Circuit. He is a graduate of the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law, and was admitted to the Hawaii State Bar in 2005.

• Michelle L. Drewyer: Drewyer is currently employed with the Law Office of Michelle L. Drewyer, and serves as a Per Diem Judge in the District and District Family Courts of the Second Circuit. She is a graduate of the Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and was admitted to the Hawaii State Bar in 1992.

• Brandon K. Flores: He is currently employed as the Assistant Administrator, Child Support Enforcement Agency with the Department of the Attorney General. He is a graduate of the University of Hawaiii William S. Richardson School of Law, and was admitted to the Hawaii State Bar in 1996.

• Dwight K. Muraoka: Muraoka is currently employed with the Law Office of Dwight K. Muraoka. He is a graduate of the Lewis & Clark Law School, and was admitted to the Hawaii State Bar in 1983.

The Chief Justice has 30 days from his receipt of the list today to make his appointment.