HONOLULU — It was standing room only as family, friends, and colleagues gathered in the Supreme Court courtroom on December 20, 2017, as Rowena A. Somerville, Matthew J. Viola, and Paul B.K. Wong were sworn in as judges of the Circuit Court of the First Circuit, and Jessi L.K. Hall was sworn in as a judge of the District Family Court of the First Circuit.

Gov. David Y. Ige administered the oath of office to Somerville, Viola, and Wong. Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald administered the oath of office to Hall.

In addition to Gov. Ige, guest speakers were Hawaii State Bar Association President Nadine Y. Ando, Hawaii State Trial Judges Association President James H. Ashford, Judicial Selection Commission Chair Dr. Jackie Young, and Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi.

Judges Somerville, Viola, and Wong will each serve 10-year terms and Judge Hall will serve a six-year term.