Circuit Chief Judge Derrick Chan was named the 2016 Jurist of the Year at the Hawaii State Judiciary’s Statewide Incentive Awards Ceremony on Friday.
Chief Justice Mark Reck- tenwald made the selection from a pool submitted by Hawaii attorneys and state Judiciary personnel.
“Judge Chan has been an outstanding jurist, mentor and leader throughout his career on the bench,” Reck-
tenwald said in a release. “In his challenging role as chief judge of the First Circuit, he has been organized, diligent and decisive, all the while maintaining a collaborative and inclusive approach. He has often been described as a voice of reason and compassion. These are the characteristics that have made him an exemplary leader.”
Chan was first appointed as a Circuit Court judge in August 2000 and served as the deputy chief judge and administrative judge of the criminal division from 2005 to 2009. He has served as chief judge since Dec. 31, 2009.
Other Judiciary awards included:
>> Distinguished Service Award: Colin Young, fiscal officer, Administrative Services Division, Hawaii island.
>> Meritorious Service Award: Wendy Mitchell, social worker/supervisor, Juvenile Client Services Branch, Kona/Kamuela Unit; Danette Wise, fiscal officer, Kauai; and Juliette Yip, secretary, Office of the Chief Court Administrator.
>> Group Meritorious
Service Award: Community Service Work Program, Kauai; Hale Kaulike Maintenance/Janitorial Crew, Hawaii island.
>> Spirit of the Judiciary Award: Roland Advincula, facility management working supervisor, Honolulu District Court; Pauline Lynch, social worker, Office of the Public Guardian; and Tracy Ogata, district court clerk, Wahiawa/Waialua District.
>> Certificate of Commendation: Yvonne Keanaaina, judicial clerk, Kona Drug Court.
>> Group Certificate of Commendation: Human Resources Department Employee Services Division.
