From left: Judge Ronald Ibarra, Carol Kitaoka, Bob Kim, Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald, Margaret Masunaga, and Vicki Kalman. (Hawaii 24/7 photo courtesy of Vicki Kalman)

Hawaii 24/7 reporting by Margaret Masunaga

The invited guests at Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald’s swearing in ceremony Sept. 14 at the Hawaii Supreme Court in Honolulu included Mayor Billy Kenoi, Judge Ronald Ibarra, Margaret Masunaga, Bob Kim, Vicki Kalman, Lincoln Ashida, Carol Kitaoka, Darien Nagata, and Henry Nakamoto.

Acting Chief Justice Paula Nakayama gave the oath of office to Mark E. Recktenwald. His daughter Sarah, and wife Gailynn participated in the robing ceremony. His other children Andrew and Trevor, and mother Connie were unable to attend (his father Bill is deceased).

Remarks were given by Hawaii State Bar Association President Hugh Jones, Hawaii State Trial Judges Association President Judge Steven Alm, Judicial Selection Commission Chair Sheri Sakamoto, State Rep. Blake Oshiro, Senate President Colleen Hanabusa, and Gov. Linda Lingle.

Laughter filled the Supreme Court chambers when a comment was made that Chief Justice Recktenwald’s favorite song by the Beatles is “The Long and Winding Road.” (Referring to how the governor first selected Kate Leonard to be the CJ, and she was not confirmed by the Senate.)

One of the most poignant moments during the swearing in ceremony came when Hanabusa first referred to “the Recktenwald Court.” She was impressed by the depth of his intellect and his judicial temperament.

Recktenwald understood that in lean economic times when he has to present the judiciary budget before the legislature, he may only receive the two end pieces of a loaf of bread, but the next year, he would hope to receive the center of the loaf of bread.