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title: "Brian A. Costa | KnowJudges"
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# Brian A. Costa

Hawaii Circuit Court, First Circuit · Circuit Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: Hawaii Circuit Court, First Circuit
- State: Hawaii
- Role: Circuit 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

- Judicial Service: Per diem judge, First Circuit Family Court (2017–present) Lead Judge, Juvenile Division
- Circuit Court Judge for the First Circuit (Oʻahu) in Hawaii, appointed in 2017 and confirmed in 2024, with extensive experience in criminal, civil, and family law
- Appointments: Initially appointed by Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald in 2017 to the District Family Court of the First Circuit Confirmed by the Hawaiʻi State Senate in June 2024 to the Circuit Court of the First Circuit, succeeding Judge Jeffrey Crabtree
- Presiding Judge, Juvenile Drug Court
- Hawaiʻi Access to Justice Commission — Pro Bono Initiatives Task Force

### Education

- University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa William S. Richardson School of Law

### Additional information

- Legal Career: Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, City & County of Honolulu Associate at Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel Owner/Manager, Costa & DeLacy, LLC — handling criminal, civil, and family law matters
- Attorney Member Manager at Costa & DeLacy.
- Hawaiʻi Access to Justice Commission — Administration Committee

## 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_1c)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_1c)
- [Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_1c)
- [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_1c)

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