VIDEO: On Senate Floor, Hirono Highlights Support for Hawaii Federal Judge Nominees Ahead of Confirmation Votes

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered remarks on the Senate floor in support of two nominees to serve as federal judges on the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii. Shanlyn A.S. Park’s and Micah Smith’s nominations were announced by Senator Hirono and Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) earlier this year. Smith was confirmed earlier today by a bipartisan vote of 57-41 and Park’s nomination is expected to be voted on tomorrow.

“I’m glad that later today the Senate will vote to confirm Micah Smith and tomorrow, Shanlyn Park, as judges on the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii,” said Senator Hirono during her remarks. “I believe both nominees’ experience, temperament, and demonstrated commitment to public service, along with their deep roots in Hawaii, will make them excellent judges on Hawaii’s District Court. I look forward to voting to confirm them.”

Senator Hirono’s full remarks are below and video is available for download here.

M. President, I’m glad that later today the Senate will vote to confirm Micah Smith and tomorrow, Shanlyn Park, as judges on the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii. Shanlyn Park, who currently serves as a Hawaii Circuit Court judge, was born and raised in Hawaii, where her career has been spent almost entirely in public service. After graduating from Chaminade University and the William S. Richardson School of Law, Judge Park served as a Federal Public Defender in Hawaii for 20 years.

As a judge, she has earned high marks for her evenhanded approach and well-reasoned decisions. Importantly, if confirmed, Judge Park would make history as the first Native Hawaiian woman to serve as a federal district court judge. It’s high time and long overdue. Representation matters.

Like Judge Park, Micah Smith has also had an impressive legal career. After graduating from Lock Haven University and Harvard Law School, he clerked on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and then on the Supreme Court for Justice Souter. He went on to became a federal prosecutor, a job he has held for the last 12 years.

He began at U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and, in 2018, returned home to Hawaii to join the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Honolulu. I believe both nominees’ experience, temperament, and demonstrated commitment to public service, along with their deep roots in Hawaii, will make them excellent judges on Hawaii’s District Court. I look forward to voting to confirm them.

Last month, Senator Hirono introduced and voted to advance the nominations of both nominees during two judiciary committee hearings.

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