On August 26, James Kawashima was sworn as District Court Judge of the First Circuit by Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald during a special ceremony at Aliiolani Hale, in the Supreme Court courtroom.

Guest speakers for the event were (in to order of appearance): Jodi Lei Kimura Yi, Hawaii State Bar Association President; Jeannette H. Castagnetti, Hawaii State Trial Judges Association President; James A. Kawachika, Judicial Selection Commission Chair; and Will Espero, Hawaii State Senate.

Judge Kawashima will serve a 6-year term from June 30, 2016 to June 29, 2022.