MEDIA RELEASE

Gov. Linda Lingle has nominated Chief Intermediate Court of Appeals Judge Mark E. Recktenwald to serve as an associate justice on the Hawaii State Supreme Court. If confirmed by the state Senate, Recktenwald would fill the seat vacated by former Associate Justice Steven Levinson, who retired in December.

“Judge Recktenwald is an extremely competent jurist who will bring extensive knowledge of the law and the judicial system to the Supreme Court,” Lingle said. “He is a man of high moral character and a dedicated public servant. He will bring a strong work ethic and a collaborative attitude to the bench. Over the last six years I have known him, he has demonstrated fairness, integrity, common sense and compassion in all his work.”

Recktenwald has extensive experience in the judicial system as a judge, federal prosecutor and a lawyer in private practice.

As chief judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals since April 2007, Recktenwald has participated in deciding more than 250 cases on their merits and has authored 10 published opinions. Under his leadership, the court has moved forward in implementing a 2006 reorganization plan of the appellate system, with an emphasis on deciding the court’s cases more promptly. 

He also has worked to make the court more open and accessible, including instituting the practice of holding oral arguments on a regular monthly basis.

Prior to his appointment to the Intermediate Court of Appeals, Recktenwald served as the director of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. 

During his tenure he focused on expanding protections against identity theft and enforcing Hawaii’s consumer protection laws, including guarding against unfair and deceptive trade and business practices, and insurance and securities fraud.  

He also worked to make the department more accessible to the public by expanding on-line services.

Lingle selected Recktenwald from a list of six candidates that was submitted to her by the Judicial Selection Commission last month. 

All six candidates were interviewed by Lingle, Lt. Governor James R. “Duke” Aiona, Jr., Attorney General Mark Bennett, Chief of Staff Barry Fukunaga and Senior Policy Advisor Linda Smith. The governor also invited the public to submit comments on the six candidates.