Mayor Bryan Baptiste has named retiring Big Island District Judge Matthew Pyun Jr. the new Kaua'i County attorney, filling a vacancy created by Lani Nakazawa's departure.

The Kaua'i County Council on Thursday confirmed Pyun, who is to start work Wednesday.

Pyun must leave the judicial job because he is reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.

"When we heard that he was retiring as a judge, we approached him about coming here and are pleased that he accepted the challenge. We are very fortunate to have a person of Matthew's caliber join the county," Baptiste said.