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
  • per diem Judges
• Second Circuit (Maui) Judges
  • per diem Judges
• Third Circuit (Hawai`i) Judges
  • per diem Judges
• Fifth Circuit (Kaua`i) Judges
  • per diem 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.

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Notice of Judicial Vacancy

• Notice of Anticipated Judicial Vacancy – Associate Judge, Intermediate Court of Appeals, State of Hawai’i (Release Date: 05/09/2025) (Release Date 05/09/2025)
• Notice of Anticipated Judicial Vacancy – District Judge, District Court of the First Circuit (island of O’ahu) (Release Date: 05/09/2025) (Release Date 05/09/2025)
• Notice of Extended Deadline for Applications for Anticipated Judicial Vacancy – Circuit Judge, Circuit Court of the Fifth Circuit (island of Kauai) (Release Date:  04/25/2025) (Release Date 04/25/2025)
• Notice of Extended Deadline for Applications for Anticipated Judicial Vacancy – Chief Justice, Supreme Court, State of Hawai’i (Release Date:  03/21/2025) (Release Date 03/21/2025)

Notice of Petition for Retention

• Notice of Petition for Retention – The Honorable Alvin P. K. Nishimura (Release Date:  06/20/2025) (Release Date 06/20/2025)
• Notice of Petition for Retention – The Honorable Shirley M. Kawamura (Release Date:  06/06/2025) (Release Date 06/06/2025)
• Notice of Petition for Retention – The Honorable Jeffrey A. Hawk (Release Date:  05/09/2025) (Release Date 05/09/2025)

Nominees/Appointments

• There are no lists of nominees pending.