Gov. Green nominates Vladimir Devens as Hawaii's chief justice

Devens, a Hawaii Supreme Court associate justice, was selected from a list of five candidates submitted by the state Judicial Selection Commission.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:05am

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A serene, cinematic painting of an empty courtroom interior, with warm sunlight streaming through tall windows and deep shadows casting a contemplative mood, conveying the gravity and importance of the judicial process.The nomination of a new chief justice signals a pivotal moment for Hawaii's courts, as they navigate the challenges of serving an increasingly diverse and economically-stressed population.Honolulu Today

Gov. Josh Green on Thursday nominated Hawaii Supreme Court Associate Justice Vladimir Devens to become chief justice of the court. If confirmed by the state Senate, Devens, 63, would shift his position on the court and also become responsible for the administration of Hawaii's entire court system, including oversight of court operations, judicial assignments and efforts to improve efficiency and access to justice.

Why it matters

The nomination of a new chief justice is a significant event for Hawaii's judicial system, as the chief justice is responsible for overseeing the state's courts and ensuring they operate efficiently and fairly. Devens' nomination comes at a time when families in Hawaii are focused on issues like affordability, housing and stability, and the governor believes Devens' 'grounded, salt-of-the-earth perspective' will help the courts better serve the needs of everyday people.

The details

Devens, who joined the Hawaii Supreme Court in 2024 as a pick by Gov. Green, was selected from a list of five candidates submitted by the state Judicial Selection Commission. The other candidates included Associate Justice Sabrina McKenna, who has been serving as acting chief justice since the retirement of former Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald. Devens has over 30 years of experience as a lawyer in private practice, including as a labor attorney.

  • On March 16, the state Judicial Selection Commission submitted a list of five candidates for chief justice to Gov. Green.
  • On October 1, Associate Justice Sabrina McKenna became acting chief justice after the retirement of former Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald.

The players

Vladimir Devens

A Hawaii Supreme Court associate justice who has been nominated by Gov. Josh Green to become the state's next chief justice.

Josh Green

The governor of Hawaii who nominated Vladimir Devens to become the state's next chief justice.

Sabrina McKenna

A Hawaii Supreme Court associate justice who has been serving as acting chief justice since the retirement of former Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald.

Mark Recktenwald

The former chief justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court who retired on October 1.

Judicial Selection Commission

The nine-member state commission that submitted a list of five candidates for chief justice to Gov. Green.

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What they’re saying

“Congratulations Justice Devens. He is going to make an excellent chief justice, and I look forward to working with him to make a smooth transition in this position.”

— Sabrina McKenna, Hawaii Supreme Court Associate Justice

“Throughout my career, I have worked alongside individuals and families navigating real challenges and I carry those experiences with me. If confirmed, I will focus on ensuring our courts remain fair, accessible and responsive to the needs of all communities, while upholding the rule of law and maintaining public trust.”

— Vladimir Devens

What’s next

If confirmed by the state Senate, Devens would become the next chief justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court.

The takeaway

The nomination of Vladimir Devens as Hawaii's next chief justice reflects the governor's desire to have a leader who understands the challenges facing everyday people in the state and can ensure the courts remain fair, accessible and responsive to community needs. Devens' background as a labor attorney and his 'grounded, salt-of-the-earth perspective' are seen as assets that could help improve the public's trust in the judicial system.