The leadership style, integrity and credibility of Susan Ichinose, chairwoman of the nine-member screening panel for state judge applicants, were key in bringing consensus to the group, say its members and her colleagues.

That consensus led to the Judicial Selection Commission — the only state agency required to keep its deliberations secret — to change its rules to strive for openness and transparency in government.

The commission announced Nov. 15 it will disclose the names of judicial candidates on lists it sends to the governor and chief justice.

"Susan’s style is collegial and collaborative," commissioner James Bickerton said. "She is a successful leader … because she is a very good listener. She is very thoughtful, and she really tries to build consensus. … She ends up being able to move groups in a unified direction even when the matter is a very delicate one or controversial one."

The issue of whether the names of judicial candidates should be made public surfaced when Gov. Neil Abercrombie refused to disclose names on the lists sent to him by the Judicial Selection Commission. Abercrombie said he felt disclosure would discourage people from seeking judgeships.

Circuit Judge Karl Sakamoto ruled Nov. 14, on a lawsuit by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, that Abercrombie must disclose names of judge candidates. The attorney general’s office said it was considering an appeal, but the commission then said it will release future lists, and Abercrombie released the three lists he had withheld.

Bickerton said Ichinose deserves "the credit for leading the group to its decision."

The 67-year-old Ichinose, elected chairwoman in June, was reluctant to accept individual credit for the changes.

"We worked together as a group," she said, although as chairwoman she placed the rules review on the agenda. "I think it was a matter that was generally accepted by the group," she said.

"We never really discussed the rules until this year," said Ichinose, who was sworn in in April 2007. "It’s always been observing rules that have been in place for decades, and I observed the rules very strictly. But you know, you need change sometimes."

Commissioner Jeff Portnoy said Ichinose showed keen leadership qualities including her ability to listen to varying viewpoints and provide an opportunity for commissioners to discuss and modify long-held commission rules.

Ichinose said being respectful of others and her current work as an arbitrator with Dispute Prevention Resolution have aided her.

"I have a great admiration for what judges do, the stresses of judging others," she said. "I arbitrate cases, and you sit as a private judge. It’s tough, let me tell you."