Acting Chief Justice Appoints District Court Judges

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Acting Chief Justice Sabrina S. McKenna recently appointed two individuals to serve in the District Court of the Third Circuit (Hawaii Island) and two individuals to the District Court of the First Circuit (Oahu). The appointments are subject to Senate confirmation, and if confirmed, each will serve a term of six years.

Why it matters

The appointments of district court judges are an important part of the judicial selection process in Hawaii, ensuring the state's courts are staffed with qualified individuals to handle a variety of civil and criminal matters at the local level.

The details

The appointees include Andrew Michael Kennedy for the District Court of the Third Circuit, and Kirsha Kaulukane Milianani Durante and Simeona Lynn Liliuokalani Ahuna Mariano for the District Court of the First Circuit. Kennedy is a partner at a Kailua-Kona law firm, while Durante is the Litigation Director at Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation and Mariano is a Deputy Attorney General handling family law and juvenile matters.

• On February 11, 2026, the Judicial Selection Commission presented nomination lists to Acting Chief Justice Sabrina S. McKenna.
• The appointments were made by Acting Chief Justice McKenna on March 16, 2026.

What’s next

The appointments are subject to Senate confirmation, and if confirmed, each will serve a six-year term.