Gov. Josh Green, M.D. has selected Michelle L. Drewyer to serve as circuit court judge for the Second Circuit, filling the post left empty by now-Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen Jr. on March 17.
“Judge Drewyer has an impeccable record of service to the law and to the community and understands her broader Maui Nui kuleana,” Green said in a release. “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.”
With Drewyer's planned installation, the Second Circuit Court of Maui County will fully achieve gender parity, with two female and two male judges. Across Maui Circuit and District Courts, four female and five male judges now sit on the bench. Statewide, Green’s selection brings the number of full-time judges and/or justices across the state to 82, comprising 40 women and 42 men.
Drewyer, who started her legal career on Maui in 1991 as a deputy prosecuting attorney, said her experience serving on various family and district courts will help her meet the needs of outer districts.
"As a judge, I have sat on every type of family and district court calendar and have traveled to Hāna, Moloka‘i and Lana‘i to hear cases, so I understand the varying needs of the outer districts. I will serve them with respect and objectivity," Drewyer said in the release. “It is an honor to have been selected from among the highly qualified candidates Gov. Green interviewed.”
With all nominations subject to confirmation by the State Senate, Green sold Drewyer's nomination.
“Justice may be blind, but meeting our society’s needs for diversity, equity and inclusion must be pursued with open eyes,” Green said.