Our Judges
Courts of Appeal and Circuit Court judges are appointed by the Governor to a 10-year term from a list of not less than four and not more than six nominees provided by the Judicial Selection Commission. For district court, article VI, Section 3 provides that the CJ appoints from a list of not less than 6 nominees.
All appointees are subject to the consent of the state Senate. After initial appointment, the Judicial Selection Commission determines whether a judge will be retained in office. A judge may not serve past age 70. See Article VI § 3 & 4 of the Hawai`i Constitution. Below are lists of judges serving in courts statewide:
- Supreme Court Justices
- Intermediate Court of Appeals Judges
- First Circuit (O`ahu) Judges
- Second Circuit (Maui) Judges
- Third Circuit (Hawai`i) Judges
- Fifth Circuit (Kaua`i) Judges
Note: Please do not contact a judge about a pending case. In most circumstances a judge is prohibited from discussing a pending case unless all parties are given notice and an opportunity to be present. Judges are also prohibited from publicly discussing a pending or impending case. See Rules 2.9 and 2.10 of the Hawaii Revised Code of Judicial Conduct (PDF).
NEW! Judicial Diversity Dashboard
Judicial diversity is a matter of great importance in our community and to the fair administration of justice. The Judiciary is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity throughout our state courts that exemplifies the diversity in Hawaiʻi and we encourage you to review our new Judiciary Diversity Dashboard.
Filter by year- Notice of Anticipated Judicial Vacancy – Circuit Judge, Circuit Court of the First Circuit (island of Oʻahu) (Release Date: 04/19/2024) (Release Date 04/19/2024)
- Notice of Anticipated Judicial Vacancy – District Family Judge, Second Circuit (island of Maui) (Release Date: 04/05/2024) (Release Date 04/05/2024)
- Notice of Second Extended Deadline for Applications for Anticipated Judicial Vacancy – Circuit Judge, Circuit Court of the Third Circuit (island of Hawai’i) (Release Date: 03/08/2024) (Release Date 03/08/2024)
- Notice of Extended Deadline for Applications for Judicial Vacancy – Chief Judge, Intermediate Court of Appeals, State of Hawai’i (Release Date: 03/08/2024) (Release Date 03/08/2024)
Notice of Judicial Vacancy
- Notice of Petition for Retention – The Honorable Kristine Yoo (Release Date: 03/08/2024) (Release Date 03/08/2024)
- Notice of Petition for Retention – The Honorable Kenneth J. Shimozono (Release Date: 03/08/2024) (Release Date 03/08/2024)
Notice of Petition for Retention
- Judicial Selection Commission Press Release – District Judge, District Court of the First Circuit (island of Oʻahu), State of Hawai’i Nominees (Release Date: 03/01/2024) (Release Date 03/01/2024)