Senate committee approves Chief Justice nominee despite disclosure controversy
By Annalisa Burgos and HNN Staff
Published: Apr. 24, 2026 at 7:27 PM HST
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A divided Senate Judiciary Committee voted Friday to recommend the confirmation of associate justice Vladimir Devens to lead the state’s justice system.
Senators Karl Rhoads and Joy San Buenaventura both opposed Devens, citing his past role as a director of a political action committee known for funding negative campaign ads against candidates and his failure to disclose it during the vetting process.
Devens apologized Wednesday for the oversight.
Other committee members pointed to Devens’ experience and track record.
Devens declined to comment after Friday’s 3-2 vote and thanked his supporters outside.
Supporters praise Devens’ integrity
Retired Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald said he is looking at Devens’ record of accomplishment over 30 years and the two years they worked together.
“I know him to be a person of integrity,” said Recktenwald.
Senators Mike Gabbard, Stanley Chang, and Brenton Awa voiced support for Devens.
Critics question disclosure failures
Rhoads, the Senate Judiciary chair, said the committee kept finding out information through the media that should have come out in the process, either on the forms or from the candidate.
When asked if he would have voted differently if all the information had been presented up front, Rhoads said, “It’s hard to know now because of water under the bridge. But I think so.”
San Buenaventura stated that Devens knew the organization had a history of negative publicity, with millions of dollars spent influencing votes and intimidating legislators to ensure they voted with them, and that he chose to be part of it.
“I can’t excuse that kind of conduct, not when we’re talking about a major branch of the government,” San Buenaventura said. “When he as a regular citizen chose to be part of a PAC with such a negative character.”
Devens’ confirmation moves to the full Senate for a final floor vote. The date has not yet been scheduled.
