Senator Karl Rhoads, Chair Committee on Judiciary Hawaii State Legislature RE: Testimony in Support of Sonja McCullen for Appointment as an Associate Judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals Dear Sirs and Madams: I am writing in strong support of Sonja McCullenʻs appointment as an Associate Judge of the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals (ICA). I am an attorney licensed to practice law in Hawaii - a former partner at the law firm of Watanabe Ing LLP, and current Senior Counsel at Kamehameha Schools. I have known Sonja for over 20 years. We attended law school together, and I had the pleasure of clerking with her at the Hawaii Supreme Court when we graduated from law school. We have since remained in close contact through her years as a victims commission advocate, union counsel, and prosecutor. Sonja is an intelligent, hardworking, and dedicated attorney, who has committed her life and career to serving the people of Hawaii. Her experience speaks volumes, and I believe that there is no one more qualified than Sonja to sit on the ICA. Not only does she have the experience, but she is professional in all she does. Iʻve watched her on numerous occasions put in extra time and effort to ensure that her research is comprehensive and her understanding of the law flawless. Her attention to detail and respect for the court system are unparalleled. She is extremely respectful, and her understanding of the need to uphold the sanctity of the judiciary would make her a role model for all judges. In addition to the foregoing, Sonja was born and raised in Hawaii, giving her a unique understanding of its community, culture, and political environment. Being from a multicultural family, including native Hawaiian, Sonja has a broad perspective and appreciation for all that Hawaii is and can offer to the world. As a mother, she has also demonstrated her commitment to making sure Hawaii is a place to live and thrive for all future generations. Her experience, professionalism, and understanding of the unique systems we have in Hawaii will make her a truly wonderful Associate Judge of the ICA. I strongly support Sonja’s appointment and appreciate your time and consideration. Mahalo, Emi Morita Aukai I . NATIVE HAWAIIAN BAR ASSOCIATION ..- m _ _ €\I\'l}c1)}|;1?eIII:fl\:'v.:1?5. should be <4 HI I H fl K W .*.L'JF_\ >1.-.1 rm. .=1cu..\ .~;<u 1'@Hl1'11¢d- I141 _|r§'.'|l\lH\L)l|U I H'1U SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY Senator Karl Rhoads, Chair Senator Jarrett Keohokalole, Vice-Chair Testimony in Strong Support of GM 2 Confirming Sonja M.P. McCullen to Hawaiʻi’s Intermediate Court of Appeals Wednesday, August 25, 2021, 1:00 p.m. Via Videoconference Chair Rhoads, Vice-Chair Keohokalole, and Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee: Aloha and mahalo for the opportunity to present testimony today on behalf of the Native Hawaiian Bar Association (NHBA). I am Melody Kapilialoha MacKenzie, a past president and current member of the NHBA Board of the Directors. The NHBA is an association of lawyers, judges and other legal professionals of Hawaiian ancestry that seeks to promote excellence, unity, cooperation, education, and the exchange of ideas among its members and in the larger community. The Board of Directors of the NHBA highly recommends the confirmation of Sonja Monalisa Pualeialoha McCullen as an Associate Judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals (ICA). Ms. McCullen, a graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law, has been practicing law since 2002, most recently as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the City & County of Honolulu in the Appellate Division. In that capacity, she has excellent knowledge of and experience in the appellate process, having filed over 170 briefs in the ICA and another 70 responses or writs in the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court. In addition, she has argued 20 cases in the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court. Early in her career, she clerked for Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Associate Justice Paula A. Nakayama and worked on several impactful water rights cases as well as other civil and criminal appeals. Her extensive appellate experience will enable her to smoothly transition to the ICA and help the ICA to address a significant case backlog. Ms. McCullen was raised on Hawaiʻi Island and brings the experience of having grown-up in a rural neighbor island community to her work. Before attending law school, she taught social studies, Hawaiian Studies, and Hawaiian Language in the public school system at Waiʻanae High School. She has remained an active member of the community by volunteering at Heʻeia loko iʻa (fishpond), helping kūpuna prepare taxes through VITA, and tutoring keiki through Kalihi Kōkua. Ms. McCullen is a compassionate person of good moral character with excellent appellate experience. If confirmed to fill the current vacancy on the ICA, we are confident that she will do so with diligence, competence, and humility. We urge you to give Ms. McCullen’s credentials and character your most serious consideration and to confirm her appointment to the ICA. Mahalo piha for the opportunity to present the testimony of the Native Hawaiian Bar Association in strong support of the appointment of Sonja M.P. McCullen. GM-2 Submitted on: 8/23/2021 8:10:34 AM Testimony for JDC on 8/25/2021 1:00:00 PM Remote Testifier Submitted By Organization Testimony Position Requested Stephen Tsushima Individual Support Yes Comments: August 23, 2021 Dear Senate members, I am writing in support of the nomination of Sonja McCullen for the position of judicial office of Associate Judge, Intermediate Court of Appeals. I have known Sonja as a colleague and a friend for over ten years, all of which have been during her employment as a fellow Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in the Appellate Division at the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney, City and County of Honolulu. Sonja is a hard-working, passionate, dedicated, and intelligent attorney who has established herself through her accomplishments as a successful appellate lawyer. In preparation for oral arguments before the Hawai‘i Supreme Court, I have typically consulted with Sonja who has provided thorough, well- reasoned, helpful advice. Her knowledge of the law and experience in appellate work demonstrates her ability to successfully meet the demands of the position of Associate Judge for the Intermediate Court of Appeals. During her career at the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney, City and County of Honolulu, Sonja has displayed the highest level of professional behavior, integrity, legal knowledge, and fairness. Sonja has always strived for achieving justice and fairness in all of her cases. She approaches a legal issue (as one should) by looking at the strengths from both sides and demonstrating a sincere understanding of the opposing positions. For this reason, I believe she would be a valuable addition and asset to our judiciary. Thank you for your time and consideration. I hope the members of the Senate recommend Sonja McCullen for the position of judicial office of Associate Judge, Intermediate Court of Appeals. Sincerely, STEPHEN K. TSUSHIMA Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Appellate Division Dept. of the Prosecuting Attorney City and County of Honolulu Department of the ProsecutingF’ rosecuting Attorney City andand County ofof Honolulu ALII PLACE 1060 RICHARDS STREET •I HONOLULU,HONOLULU. HAWAII 9681396313 PHONE;PHONE: (808) (BUB) 768-7400?68~740O• I FAX:(808) {BUB} 768-7515‘F63-?5‘l 5 ln"""“"‘\ ,I"°1lNG4 Q60 I, o 0 wk that ~ STEVENS.STEVEN s. ALM 536-. _f , nl THOMAS J. BRADY PROSECUnNQPROSECUT|NG ATTORNEYATTQHNEY \ 'L _,._¢-'7I H lg FIRSTFIRSTDEFUTY DEPUTY PROSECUTINOPROSECUTING ATTORNEYr\'roriNEv 4,0,r.’1_%_.—-l';__‘,, : '1-ff‘wilt} LU|_u_w,\..-,1"I/‘pa-Z521K TESTIMONY ONon GOVERNOR'SeoveauOFTS MESSAGE 22 NOMINATION OF SONJASONJA M.P. McCULLEN TO THE INTERMEDIATEINTERMEDIATE COURTcouar OF APPEALS ByBr Steven S. Aim,Alm, Prosecuting Attorney Department of the ProsecutingProsecuting Attorney Senate Committee on Judiciary Senator Karl Rhoads,Hhoads, Chair Senator Jarrett Keohokalole, Vice Chair Wednesday, August 25, 2021; 1:00 p.m. Via Videoconference Chair Rhoads, Vice-Chair Keohokalole, and Members of the Committee: I am writing to encourage you to recommend that Sonja McCullen be confirmed asas anan Associate Judge forfor the Intermediate Court of Appeals. Sonja is bright, hardworking, and collaborative.collaborative. She has been very active with her appellate work forfor the Prosecutor's Office forfor the last ten years and has also worked closely with ourour trial attorneys to make their cases better and freefree ofof appellate error. Sonja'sSonja‘s background asas a teacherteacher at Waianae High School grounded her in the community and made her sensitivesensitive to the needs of somesome of our most challenged students. She is not thethe firstfirst one to toot her own horn, but she truly walks the walk. While she is aa real asset to our office and her hard work would be sorely missed, Il know she could also make a big contribution to the Intermediate Court of Appeals. I know we all appreciate a balanced, diverse court and she will be a great addition toto the Court. Iflf I can provide furtherfurther information' or clarification,' ' ' pleaseplease do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected]@honolulu.qov oror at (808)(808) 768-6407. August 24, 2021 TO: Senate Judicial Committee Hawai‘i State Senate FROM: Jill Leilani Nunokawa, Esq. RE: Testimony in Avid Support of Governor’s Nomination for the ICA WHEN: Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. via videoconference Good Afternoon Chair Rhoads, Vice Chair Keohokalole, and the Senate Committee on Judiciary, It is an honor and privilege to submit written testimony outlining my complete support for Sonya McCullen/s nomination to the Intermediate Court of Appeals (ICA).