More than three years since the April 2019 “Rock for Justice III,” timeless rock ‘n’ roll band the Judicats returned to “Rock for Justice,” delighting a packed house with a performance that was as effortless-looking as it was energetic.

Slaying the strings were Intermediate Court of Appeals Judge Keith Hiraoka on bass, Hawaii Supreme Court Justice Sabrina McKenna, First Circuit District Court Judge William Domingo, and Administrative Director of the Courts Rodney Maile on guitar. Attorney and former Supreme Court Law Clerk Chase Livingston rocked the keyboards, and Georg Beck-Millan whaled on the drums.

That the band still sounds as tight and engaged as ever may be the primary reason behind its enduring legacy, but it’s the fans, of numbers unknown, who sing every word that make Judicat gigs so special.

Songs were played with the Artistry Kakaako house lights way down, giving the show the feel of an arena rock show rather than a very big house party.

“The Judicats have still got it,” one concertgoer exclaimed after the show. “Not just vocally and acoustically, but athletically.”

The show was an incredible hook-heavy rock celebration, and it’s a marvel that a band could produce such a performance that is both in line with their previous work but also a reimagining of it. The setlist (with vocalists) included:

“We Will Rock You/Oye Como Va” (Office of the Administrative Director of the Courts Secretary Kanani Kawika)
“What’s Up” (attorney Crystal “Tootie” Glendon)
“House of the Rising Sun” (William S. Richardson Law student Tammy Kim)
“White Room” (First Circuit Court Judge Gary Chang)
“Black is Black” (First Circuit Court Judge Gary Chang)
“Because the Night” (Intermediate Court of Appeals Staff Attorney Natalie Younoszai)
“Open Arms” (attorney Marissa Machida)
“Zombie” (William S. Richardson Law student Erika Elona)
“Come Together” (Office of the Administrative Director of the Courts Secretary Kanani Kawika)
“Shout” (Hawaii Supreme Court Justice Sabrina McKenna)

The Judicats were the third of eight acts in the lineup for Rock for Justice 2022 on Nov. 10, a fun-raiser and fundraiser for the Advocates for Public Interest Law (APIL), a student-run organization at the University of Hawaii’s William S. Richardson School of Law. Early estimates indicated the event raised between $10,000 -$12,000 to support APIL summer stipends.