of the State Constitution authorizing the Chief Justice to appoint retired judges as emeritus judges

House Committee on Judiciary (JUD) - chair: Karl Rhoads, vice chair: Sharon E. Har

Thursday, January 31, 2013, 2:05 p.m. Conference Room 325

Testifier: Jean Aoki, Legislative Committee, LWV of Hawaii

Click here to view HB275

Chair Karl Rhoads, Vice Chair Sharon Har, members of the House Judiciary Committee, The League of Women Voters of Hawaii supports the constitutional amendment proposed by HB 275 which would give the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court the authority to appoint judges who have reach the mandatory retirement age of 70 as emeritus judges. We have long felt that at age 70, most people are still as alert as ever, and coupled with the wisdom gathered through long living and working experiences, probably just as productive, if not more productive in their chosen field(s). And the process that precedes the actual selection of the judges as emeritus judges to fill a temporary vacancy for a maximum of three months gives ample opportunity for the testing of the fitness of the candidates. Thank you for this opportunity to testify in support of HB 275.