HONOLULU — An appointment to the Second Circuit Court of Maui County has been made about a month after a state commission finished vetting a list of nominees for the position.
Michelle L. Drewyer, who serves as a per diem judge in the District Family Court of the Second Circuit, was elevated to the Second Circuit Court of Maui County by Gov. Josh Green on Thursday.
Drewyer will fill the vacancy created on the circuit court by Richard Bissen Jr., following his election as Mayor of Maui County in November 2022.
“It is an honor to have been selected from among the highly qualified candidates Gov. Green interviewed,” said Drewyer, who started her legal career on Maui in 1991 as a deputy prosecuting attorney, in a statement.
“As a judge, I have sat on every type of Family and District Court calendar and have traveled to Hana, Moloka‘i and Lana‘i to hear cases, so I understand the varying needs of the outer districts. I will serve with respect and objectivity.”
Green touted Drewyer’s commitment and experience as a judge and lawyer in making his first judicial appointment.
“Judge Drewyer has an impeccable record of service to the law and to the community, and understands her broader Maui Nui kuleana,” said Green in a statement.
“Her experience across District, Family, Circuit and Federal Court while practicing both criminal and civil law, as well as her time as a per diem judge make her an excellent selection to preside over cases of the Second Circuit Court.”
Drewyer was among five nominees transmitted to Green by the state Judicial Selection Committee after a review of backgrounds and qualifications. The other four were Lance D. Collins, Brandon K. Flores, Erika E.G. Ireland and Ryan M.K. Anderson-Teshima.
With the selection of Drewyer, the Second Circuit Court of Maui County achieves gender parity with two female and two male judges. And, across Maui Circuit and District Courts, four female and five male judges now sit on the bench.
Statewide, there will be 82 full-time state judges and/or justices, comprising 40 women and 42 men.
“Justice may be blind, but meeting our society’s needs for diversity, equity and inclusion must be pursued with open eyes,” said Green in a statement.
