Things come to a head today in the Hawaii State Senate as Deputy City Prosecutor Glenn Kim faces an uphill battle in being confirmed as a new Circuit Court Judge. On Wednesday, March 14 Mr. Kim appeared before the second of two Senate Judicial committee hearings where he faced opposition from subpoenaed witnesses called in by State Senator Clayton Hee to testify against his "judicial temperament" among other things.
The subpoenaed witnesses were called in by Senator Hee to find answers to damning allegations made by a disgruntled former colleague. Mr. Kim was supported by many colleagues and people in the legal community at a hearing that occurred the week before. Senator Hee's infamous "bullying tactics" were used with the usual aplomb at Wednesday's hearing where in the end, despite many hours of positive testimony on behalf of Mr. Kim, the candidate was voted down in committee by a margin of 3 to 2 to "not advise and consent".
His nomination will go before the entire State Senate today where the fragile Democrat majority of 20 will be tested. Senators are counting their votes. The voting may go along party lines with several dissident Democrats falling in line behind the 5 Republican Senate minority. Mr. Kim was nominated to the bench by Governor Linda Lingle, a Republican. Senate Republicans are expected to all support Kim with some Democrats also lining up behind them. The Democrat vote may go along the lines of current and former leadership members. The vote may be close. It will be a test of political will.
The Senate floor session will probably be long and colorful, filled with speeches praising and panning the nominee, the process and maybe even each other. The hottest action in the legislature since... opening day. Be there at 11:30 a.m. or catch it live on Olelo Cable TV.
Photo: Screen captures of Senator Hee (left) and Glenn Kim (right) from Olelo / Capitol TV.
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