While the vast majority of Gov. Linda Lingle’s judicial nominees have been rated as qualified by the Hawaii State Bar Association board of directors, three have received "unqualified" ratings.

Circuit Judge nominee Faauuga To’oto’o was recently approved by the Senate despite an unqualified rating. Circuit Judge nominee Ted Hong received an unqualified rating in 2004 and was rejected by the Senate. Also, the Senate rejected the nomination of Randal Lee to the appeals court despite a qualified rating.

The board has also rated a few "highly qualified," but that designation was dropped in 2007. They are:

» Mark Recktenwald, chief appeals judge, 2007
» Lee, Circuit Court, 2005
» Elizabeth Strance, Circuit Court, 2005
» Patrick Border, Circuit Court, 2004
» Craig Nakamura, Court of Appeals, 2004