Before an overflow crowd of family, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers in the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court courtroom at Aliʻiōlani Hale, Maria F. Penn, Wilson A. Unga, and Rochelle I. Vidinha were sworn in today as Judges of the District Family Court of the First Circuit (island of Oʻahu). Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald administered the oath.

The ceremony carried special significance as it was the last time Recktenwald would preside over an official event in the Supreme Court courtroom. Appointed to the state’s highest judicial post in September 2010, he has sworn in 65 judges during his 15 years leading the Judiciary. Recktenwald will retire on September 30, 2025, with Associate Justice Sabrina S. McKenna serving as Acting Chief Justice until a successor is appointed.

“I couldn’t have asked for three better people to be swearing in on this last occasion,” Recktenwald said. “I am thrilled to have you as the last three judges that I selected.”

Judge Maria F. Penn has served as a Per Diem District Family Judge since May 2022. She has also worked as a solo practitioner representing clients in various civil litigation matters, including medical malpractice, personal injury, civil rights violations and police brutality, contract disputes, and more. Penn has experience in family law, representing clients in divorces and paternity matters, and has served as a volunteer settlement master in Family Court. She is a graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law and was admitted to the Hawaiʻi State Bar in 2003.

Judge Wilson A. Unga joins the bench after working at the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney, City and County of Honolulu, since 2013. Most recently Felony Trials Division Chief, he also served as the Domestic Violence Felony Team Captain and was honored with the Mayor’s Exceptional Achievement Award in 2019. A dedicated youth mentor, Unga is a graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law and was admitted to the Hawaiʻi State Bar in 2012.

Judge Rochelle I. Vidinha comes from the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney’s office in Honolulu, where she has worked since 2001. Most recently, she led the Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking Unit and served as Coordinator of the Honolulu County Human Trafficking Task Force. A former parole officer with the Hawaiʻi Paroling Authority, Vidinha is a graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law and joined the Hawaiʻi State Bar in 2001.

Associate Justice McKenna paid tribute to the Chief Justice’s service, telling him, “I want to thank Chief Justice Recktenwald for his commitment to the principles of the rule of law. His legacy will live on in so many ways, but especially in all the judges he has appointed.”

Penn, Unga, and Vidinha will each serve a six-year term on the District Family Court bench, where they will preside over cases involving divorce, child custody, domestic abuse, and juvenile matters.