Senators voted overwhelmingly to reject the nomination of Marie Alailima as Administrative Law Judge for another six years. 12 senators voted against, while only 4 voted in support of Alailima.
The confirmation hearing for Alailima, before the Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Senator Tuiagamoa Tavai, lasted less than 15 minutes.
Senator Muagututia Tauoa thanked Alilima for her willingness to serve and endorsed her appointment, then moved to excuse her.
The only question that was posed to Alailima came from Senator Tuiasina Laumoli, who asked if the Administrative Law Judge only hears cases of government employees and not employees of semi-autonomous agencies.
According to Alailima, her office hears cases of all government entities, including semi-autonomous agencies, unless the statute governing any agency says that their cases go directly to the High Court.
Ala’lima has been serving as Administrative Law Judge since 2018.
In nominating her for another 6-year term, Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga said, “Ms. Ala’ilima has made significant improvements to the office of the Administrative Law Judge and has engaged in agency and community outreach to facilitate the services and duties of the office.”
Ms. Ala’ilima obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Hawaii, Manoa and received her Juris Doctor from the William Richardson School of Law at UH Manoa. She is an inactive member of the Hawaii State Bar Association and active member of the American Samoa Bar.
