Family and friends looked on proudly as Lisa W. Cataldo, Rebecca A. Copeland, and Alvin P.K.K. Nishimura were sworn in as judges of the First Circuit on January 6, 2020. The oath of office was administered by Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald in the Hawaii Supreme Court courtroom.

Judge Cataldo will serve as judge of the Circuit Court for a 10-year term. Judges Copeland and Nishimura will serve as judges of the District Family Court. Their terms as District Court judges will be for six years.

Guest speakers were Gov. David Y. Ige; Hawaii State Bar Association President P. Gregory Frey; Hawaii State Trial Judges Association President Judge Matthew J. Viola; Judicial Selection Chair Ronette M. Kawakami; and Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi.