Statement of Daniel M. Gluck<\/strong><\/p>\nregarding withdrawal of appointment to the Intermediate Court of Appeals<\/p>\n
July 29, 2021<\/p>\n
I spoke with Governor Ige and Senate President Kouchi to convey my wish to withdraw my appointment to the Intermediate Court of Appeals (\u201cICA\u201d).\u00a0 However, if I withdrew, it would have created confusion as to how the next appointment would be made.\u00a0 My understanding, therefore, is that the Senate had to proceed with a vote.<\/p>\n
Opponents of my appointment, particularly members of the Bar, were courageous in voicing their deeply rooted, legitimate grievances regarding the ways in which systemic racism and inequality permeate our lives.\u00a0 They are correct that it is not easy to oppose a judicial nominee.\u00a0 They are correct that every one of us has an obligation to do more to right historic injustice.<\/p>\n
During the Judiciary Committee hearing on my appointment, I stated that I wanted to follow the appointment process set forth in the Constitution.\u00a0 Yet I hope that, by indicating my desire to withdraw from this process, today\u2019s vote can be less divisive for the Senate and Hawai\u2018i as a whole.\u00a0 The community deserves judges who bring all of us closer rather than fracturing us further.\u00a0 The other nominees on the list have extraordinarily impressive credentials; any one of them can, and will, serve the ICA with distinction.<\/p>\n
I applied to be a judge because I wanted to serve the people of Hawai\u2018i:\u00a0 to try to promote justice and equity in the islands I call home.\u00a0 I continue to believe that I have the skills, experience, temperament, and character to resolve cases thoroughly, fairly, quickly, and justly.\u00a0 I am humbled, beyond measure, by the testimony from colleagues, friends, judges, and community members \u2013 even those opposed to my appointment \u2013 attesting to my qualifications.\u00a0 I was and am honored, more than words can express, that the Governor selected me from such an esteemed list of nominees.\u00a0 I am deeply saddened that I cannot serve as an ICA judge.\u00a0 I am sincerely grateful, however, that \u2013 through this process \u2013 our legislators have indicated their unwavering support for social justice.\u00a0 I look forward to seeing concrete next steps from our policymakers towards these ends, and I hope I can be of assistance in these efforts.<\/p>\n
I offer my sincere thanks to the Judicial Selection Commission, the Hawai\u2018i State Bar Association, and the Governor for their trust in me; to the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate as a whole for considering my appointment; to my family; and to everyone who testified \u2013 both in support and in opposition.\u00a0 I hope I can continue to serve this community for many years to come.<\/p>\n
With gratitude and aloha,<\/p>\n
Daniel M. Gluck<\/p>\n
The Hawai\u2018i State Senate\u2019s rejection of the appointment of Daniel Gluck to the Intermediate Court of Appeals means that Gov. David Ige has ten calendar days or until Aug. 8 to make another selection from the list of the remaining five nominees submitted to him by the Judicial Selection Commission.<\/p>\n
The remaining five nominees are:<\/p>\n
Lance D. Collins<\/strong><\/p>\nSummer M. M. Kupau-Odo<\/strong><\/p>\nSonja M.P. McCullen<\/strong><\/p>\nMalia E. Schreck<\/strong><\/p>\nTaryn R. Tomasa Gifford<\/strong><\/p>\nThe public is welcome to submit comments on any of the nominees on the governor\u2019s website at: https:\/\/governor.hawaii.gov\/contact-us\/contact-the-governor\/<\/a><\/p>\n\nThe Committee also voted to recommend that the Senate consent to the appointment of Lesley Maloian to the District Family Court of the First Circuit.<\/p>\n\n
Final Senate votes on the two judicial appointments will take place today (Thursday, July 29) at 11:00 a.m. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t