HONOLULU (KHON2) — A new leader could soon take charge of the Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement.

Honolulu Police Major Mike Lambert faced senators in a confirmation hearing on Wednesday, Feb. 19 after being nominated by Governor Josh Green to succeed outgoing director Jordan Lowe.

The Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs Committee unanimously voted to recommend Lambert as the new director for the state’s Department of Law Enforcement.

“It was very, very humbling, and again, I’m feeling really good,” said Lambert.

Lambert, formerly a Major for the Honolulu Police Department with 22 years on the force, had many singing his praises.

“He’s not just going to come in and tell us what we want to hear just for the sake of you know settling the room,” Sen. Samantha DeCorte said. ” “What I’ve been able to visibly see in my community is he will really follow through with the results.”

“He’s always looking to improve things and for new ways to do things I think that’s something that this person really needs,” Retail Merchants of Hawaii President Tina Yamaki explained.

“We’re really excited to see what you can do and really be the tip of the spear for law enforcement. so I fully support this recommendation,” Public Safety Committee Chair Sen. Brandon Elefante said.

Lambert’s fate now lies with the full senate to confirm his nomination.

“I’m hoping to get support enough to get through and I would love to take on the challenges that the Department of Law Enforcement has and make it a world-class law enforcement agency,” he said.

One of the many challenges he’ll be facing is illegal fireworks.

The DLE currently heads the state’s illegal fireworks task force and if Lambert is confirmed, he said that will be one of his top priorities.

The first step he said is changing the public’s perception of law enforcement.

“The general community, as it relates to fireworks, is going to be that belief that the police are dirty. And it’s very important for me to run a clean house at the DLE to ensure that they know that we are not a part of the problem,” Lambert explained. “And that is the first element that needs to be tackled and that is community trust.”

A number of bills are moving through the legislature regarding fireworks including one extending the task force and others changing the language and definitions of fireworks laws.

“I think that this would be the year if the definitions change to have a real significant impact on fireworks,” Lambert said.