GM 788

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2005

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 788

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 788, submitting for study and consideration the appointment of: 

Circuit Court of the First Circuit (Island of Oʻahu)

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by Judge Karin L. Holma for service on the Circuit Court of the First Circuit, Island of Oʻahu.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the appointment of Judge Karin L. Holma from the General Contractors Association of Hawaii, Hawaiʻi Women Lawyers, RMA Sales, Pacific Home and Appliance Distribution, Complete Construction Services Corp., and twelve individuals. 

     Your Committee received testimony in opposition to the appointment of Judge Karin L. Holma from one individual. 

     Your Committee received comments on the appointment of Judge Karin L. Holma from the Hawaii State Bar Association.

     The Hawaii State Bar Association Board of Directors (HSBA Board) uses a rating system that considers several criteria to assist the HSBA Board in making a recommendation to your Committee on whether the appointee is "qualified" or "not qualified".  Specifically, the criteria the HSBA Board employs is the same criteria found in the American Bar Association's Guidelines for Reviewing Qualifications of Candidates for State Judicial Office.  Those guidelines include the following criteria, which are not exclusive:  integrity, diligence, legal knowledge and ability, professional experience, temperament, financial responsibility, public service, and ability to perform the responsibilities and duties required of the position for which the applicant has been appointed.  Upon review of the established criteria, the HSBA Board found the appointee to be qualified for the position of Circuit Court Judge of the First Circuit, Island of Oʻahu.

     Judge Holma attended Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration.  She received her Juris Doctor from the Willamette University College of Law in Salem, Oregon, where she was a member of the Moot Court Board and an Associate Editor for the Willamette Law Review.  Judge Holma has been licensed to practice law in the State of Hawaiʻi since 1990.

     Since 2020, Judge Holma has worked as a District Court Judge for the District Court of the First Circuit where she presides over all types of district court cases, including landlord tenant, breach of contract, collection, and other civil cases.  Judge Holma also has experience presiding over criminal cases and has handled misdemeanors, petty misdemeanors, traffic, and mental health court cases.  In January 2023, Judge Holma was assigned as Lead Civil Judge in District Court and has since presided over approximately fifty trials, both civil and criminal.  Since February 2024, Judge Holma has been temporarily assigned to Circuit Court, where she has handled all types of circuit court civil cases, including breach of contract, business disputes, foreclosure, personal injury, negligence, toxic torts, homeowners' association, employment, condemnation, and probate cases.

     Judge Holma's legal career includes both private practice and public service.  Judge Holma worked at Bays Lung Rose & Holma for more than twenty-five years, where she was a managing partner before she left to serve as a District Court Judge.  As a managing partner, Judge Holma was the Chair of the firm's hiring committee, Chair of the firm's practice management committee, and litigated civil matters, including commercial litigation, construction, and real estate.  Judge Holma also previously worked as an Assistant Deputy Attorney General for the Labor Division of the Department of the Attorney General and a law clerk for Associate Justice Ronald T.Y. Moon on the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court.

     Your Committee notes that one individual has filed a complaint against Judge Holma, and that the complaint has not yet been resolved.  Your Committee also notes that testimony submitted in support of Judge Holma's appointment commends her fairness, kindness, experience, expertise, and knowledge, as well as her passion and love for the law.

     Your Committee finds that, based on the testimony submitted on her behalf, responses to questions asked by the members of your Committee, and your Committee's review of information about her and her qualifications, Judge Karin L. Holma has the knowledge, dedication, and other competencies to be a Circuit Court Judge of the First Circuit, Island of Oʻahu, and possesses the legal expertise and integrity to fully and faithfully discharge the duties associated with that judicial office.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the appointee, has found the appointee to be qualified for the position to which appointed and recommends that the Senate consent to the appointment.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,