Judge Melvin Fujino sworn in as Circuit Court judge

Praise and leis abounded when Judge Melvin Fujino was sworn in as circuit court judge Friday at the Kona courthouse, in the same room he worked as a law clerk in 1986.

Fujino, formerly the district and family judge in Waimea, was so laden with leis afterward he nearly vanished in the maile and flowers.

He was relieved of the load four times before the long line of well-wishers ran out.

He was appointed by Gov. David Ige, who said he was “proud to submit” Fujino’s name from the short list prepared by the judicial selection committee.

The event overflowed out into the courtyard, the jury room and into the district court with well-wishers.

“Is this your family?” Ige asked, referring to the crowd in the courtroom.

“You mean all these people who look like me?” Fujino said, before introducing the governor to the extensive set of aunts, uncles, cousins and more packed into the pew-like seats inside the courtroom.

The speakers praised Fujino’s skills, including his ability to understand different people.

“I know first-hand of the skills of Judge Fujino,” said Gregory Markham, president of the Hawaii State Bar Association, who praised Fujino as being well-informed, well-organized and intelligent.

The judge is able to elevate everyone around him by example, Markham said, because “you simply don’t want to disappoint Judge Fujino.”

Since Fujino is a local, he has a vital understanding of the area, said Anthony Kennedy, president of the West Hawaii Bar Association. Working with the judge in that time has made the attorneys confident he’ll continue to be fair, understanding and treat people with respect, he said.

His experience of six months as a temporary circuit court judge will help smooth the transition, Fujino said.

“It’s great to be back home,” he told the crowd.

To his brother and sister in law he said, “Thank you for staying at your home for eight and a half months.”

Fujino said he’d said it would be two months, “but you should know to never trust an attorney.”

He was also thankful for the support he’d received. One of the most important things was hearing that his mother and father would have been proud to see their son take the seat.

Fujino said every time he heard that, he could feel their presence.

Fujino is a hard worker and very knowledgeable, said Simoene Mariano. She and her husband, Matthew Mariano, flew from Honolulu to wish him well.

They had worked together in the attorney general’s office, where Simoene Mariano said she learned a lot from Fujino.

Fujino has been working in the legal system for decades, including working as an intern for when Judge Ronald Ibarra was still a prosecutor. Fujino worked as a deputy prosecuting attorney and a deputy attorney general.

“He’s sure to be an knowledgeable circuit court judge,” said Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald of the Hawaii Supreme Court.

Recktenwald said this can be seen by how well Fujino worked as a judge in the family and district courts.

Operating both areas requires “a wide area of knowledge,” Recktenwald said.

Ige said the fact Fujino would need no training or adjustment made the governor recommend him out of the numerous “high quality” applicants that he was presented.

The appointment leaves Fujino’s previous position open. The final date to send in a nomination is Jan. 4, while individuals can apply as late as Feb. 18. Then the council will investigate the canditates and vote of up to six people to forward to the chief justice. The chief justice then selects one person, whose name is sent to the Senate for approval.

Both Ibarra and Fujino agreed they’d built a strong bond working together. As he came close to completing his statements, he addressed the other judge.

“So when I call after hours, stop answering with ‘therapy session is closed,’” Fujino said.