In the first of what may be several hearings, the state Senate Judiciary and Labor committee yesterday heard overwhelming support for state official Mark Recktenwald, who has been nominated to serve a 10-year term as chief judge on the state's Intermediate Court of Appeals.

More than 40 people provided oral or written testimony to the committee supporting Recktenwald's nomination, and committee chairman Sen. Clayton Hee said he received no testimony in opposition.

Recktenwald, director of the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and former assistant U.S. attorney, would replace James Burns as chief judge if confirmed by the Senate.

First, he needs to win the support of Hee's committee, however. Hee has expressed some reservations about Recktenwald's qualifications for the high judicial post.

Recktenwald's supporters included dozens of local attorneys, along with business owners he has worked with as head of DCCA. Written testimony was submitted by U.S. District Court judges and the U.S. attorney, the president of the Hawaii State Bar Association, union leaders and professional organizations.

Recktenwald said being a judge is one of his dreams. "For a lawyer like me who is passionate about public service, I don't think there's any greater challenge than that of being a judge. There's nothing more fundamental to our democracy than ensuring that justice is done when individuals come before the court," he said.

State Attorney General Mark Bennett called Recktenwald one of the finest lawyers he has ever known and one he would be likely to hire if he was ever in need of representation. "Mark's honesty, integrity and hard work are not only exemplary, but they are unquestionable," he said. "In addition, Mark is one of the nicest people I've ever met. I believe Mark gets along with everyone. ... In all of the years I've known Mark I've never heard him, to my recollection, raise his voice or have a harsh word for anyone."

Delorese Gregoire, founding director of the Winners' Camp for teenagers, said of Recktenwald, "He made the DCCA a one-stop shop because it's so efficient. As a business owner it's so important to us," she said.

She said her work has taken her to court several times and said Recktenwald has proven to her that he would be a fair judge. "Mark is kupa'a. He is steadfast. People of the state of Hawai'i will always be able to count on Mark Recktenwald."

Kathy Bryant-Hunter, chairwoman of the Kailua Neighborhood Board, spoke as an individual who has worked with Recktenwald as the governor's liaison to the neighborhood board. "As all of you know, neighborhood boards can be a contentious crew (who expect a great deal from their liaisons). ... He not only listens well, he takes the time to find out exactly what the members of the community and board are asking. He does thorough research on the issues," she said.

Before recessing yesterday's hearing, Hee said he will schedule another by March 14, the deadline he has set for a vote.

Among some of the senators' concerns are Recktenwald's lack of judicial experience and administrative skills, since if confirmed he would head the state's second highest court, which has been given greater jurisdiction over appeals.

Reach Treena Shapiro at tshapiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.