--- title: "Andrew M. Kennedy | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/andrew-m-kennedy-district-court-judge-hawaii-district-court-third-circuit-hi" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Andrew M. Kennedy Hawaii District Court, Third Circuit · District Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Hawaii District Court, Third Circuit - State: Hawaii - Role: District Court Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Partner with the Kailua-Kona law firm of Schlueter, Kwiat & Kennedy, and there he’s worked since 2018 - Lawyer: Partner at Schlueter, Kwiat & Kennedy LLLP since 2018; prior roles include Deputy Public Defender in Kealakekua, associate at June & Vasser in Kona, and attorney in New York and New Hampshire - Andrew Michael Kennedy is a 48‐year‐old attorney and partner at Schlueter, Kwiat & Kennedy LLLP in Kailua‐Kona, confirmed in April 2026 by the Hawaii State Senate to serve as a District Court Judge for the Third Circuit (Hawaiʻi Island) for a six‐year term - The Acting Chief Justice made these appointments from nomination lists presented to her by the Judicial Selection Commission on February 11, 2026 - In 2018 Andrew Kennedy from the Kona branch of the Hawai'i Public Defender's office joined the Firm - Biography, court assignment, applicable sourced court procedures, sourced judicial information for Judge Andrew M. Kennedy - Acting Chief Justice Appoints District Court Judges on Oahu, Big Island - Deputy Public Defender with the Department of the Public Defender in Kealakekua, as an associate with the law firm of June & Vasser in Kona, and as an attorney in New York and New Hampshire ### Education ### Additional information - Direct official biography, March 12, 2026, District Court of the Third Circuit - Kennedy earned his law degree from Suffolk University School of Law in 2002 and was admitted to the Hawaiʻi Bar in 2012 - Hawaiʻi Senate Confirms New Hawaiʻi Island Judge - Past president of the West Hawaiʻi Bar Association and currently serves as HSBA’s West Hawaiʻi Director - Kennedy has been active in the legal community, including past presidency of the West Hawaiʻi Bar Association and current service as its West Hawaiʻi Director - McKenna Appoints Three Hawaii District Court Judges - Connections: 408 - He has also served on the State’s Defender Council - Works For: Schlueter, Kwiat & Kennedy LLLP - Location: Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, United States - ABOUT | Schlueter, Kwiat & Kennedy LLLP - 1 day ago - HAWAIʻI - Andrew Michael Kennedy will serve six years in the District Court of the Third Circuit on Hawaiʻi Island - Kennedy is also a member of the United States District Court for the District of Hawaiʻi Criminal Justice Act Panel, a member of the Hawaiʻi Criminal Law Jury Instructions Committee, HSBA’s Diversity Equality and Access to Law Committee, and the Task Force of the Hawaiʻi Correctional Oversight Commission - The appointments are subject to Senate confirmation, and if confirmed, each will serve a term of six years ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### extended coverage notice Scope: statewide Hawaii requires news media to notify a court coordinator before electronic or photographic coverage of a judicial proceeding, including audio recording, film, videotape, or still photography. Evidence excerpt: The news media must notify a court coordinator of their intent to provide any electronic or photographic coverage of a judicial proceeding. [Cameras and Audio Equipment](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/news_and_reports/media_guidelines/cameras_and_audio_equipment) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### camera microphone placement Scope: statewide Hawaii leaves courtroom camera and microphone placement to the judge and cautions that judges may differ on placement rules. Evidence excerpt: The judge will decide where cameras and microphones can be placed in the courtroom. Judges differ on this - so please ask. [Cameras and Audio Equipment](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/news_and_reports/media_guidelines/cameras_and_audio_equipment) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_3c) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_3c) - [Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_3c) - [Cameras and Audio Equipment](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/news_and_reports/media_guidelines/cameras_and_audio_equipment) - [Remote Court Hearings via Zoom](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/remote-court-hearings-via-zoom-or-webex) - [Hawaii State Judiciary judicial profile or roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_3c) - [www.westhawaiitoday.com](https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2026/04/09/hawaii-news/kona-attorney-confirmed-as-district-court-judge/) - [hoodline.com](https://hoodline.com/2026/03/mckenna-packs-hawaii-district-courts-with-trio-of-new-judges/) - [www.linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-kennedy-2134a79) - [skbhawaii.com](https://skbhawaii.com/about) - [www.publicnow.com](https://www.publicnow.com/view/F1F2D09E0037E6DE25DED61244465ABC843213AB) - [www.hawaiifreepress.com](https://www.hawaiifreepress.com/Articles-Main/ID/46873/Acting-Chief-Justice-Appoints-District-Court-Judges-on-Oahu-Big-Island) - [www.courts.state.hi.us](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/news_and_reports/2026/03/acting-chief-justice-appoints-district-court-judges) - [www.bigislandvideonews.com](https://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2026/04/08/hawai%ca%bbi-senate-confirms-new-hawai%ca%bbi-island-judge/) - [bigislandnow.com](https://bigislandnow.com/2026/04/09/district-court-judge-nominees-for-oahu-hawaii-island-confirmed-by-state-senate/) - [Hawaii State Judiciary judicial profile or roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_3c) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/andrew-m-kennedy-district-court-judge-hawaii-district-court-third-circuit-hi", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/andrew-m-kennedy-district-court-judge-hawaii-district-court-third-circuit-hi", "name": "Andrew M. 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