---
title: "Chris A.K. Thomas | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/chris-a-k-thomas-per-diem-judge-hawaii-first-circuit-hi"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Chris A.K. Thomas

Hawaii District and District Family Courts, First Circuit · Per Diem Judge

## Profile

- Court: Hawaii District and District Family Courts, First Circuit
- State: Hawaii
- Role: Per Diem Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-08-09

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge Advocate, U.S. Marine Corps (1984–1987) — Assignments in Futenma, Japan, and Pendleton, California
- Per diem judge for the Oʻahu First Circuit District Court of Hawaiʻi, presiding over cases such as divorce and civil matters in Honolulu County

### Education


### Additional information

- Hawaii Air National Guard — Staff Judge Advocate (1995–2008)
- Current per diem judge serving in the District and/or District Family courts in Hawaii's First Circuit.
- The Judiciary states that per diem judges preside in District and/or District Family courts.
- Per diem judge in the First Circuit (Oʻahu) District Court, which includes both district and district family court matters.
- The official First Circuit per diem roster names Chris A.K. Thomas.

## 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/courts/district/first_circuit)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/courts/district/first_circuit)
- [Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/courts/district/first_circuit)
- [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/courts/district/first_circuit)
- [www.linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-thomas-309201b)
- [www.courts.state.hi.us](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_1c)
- [www.facebook.com](https://www.facebook.com/Ausact/)
- [www.courts.state.hi.us](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/our-judges)
- [www.fedbar.org](https://www.fedbar.org/past-profiles-index/)
- [www.fjc.gov](https://www.fjc.gov/history/judges)
- [www.hawaiifreepress.com](https://www.hawaiifreepress.com/Articles-Main/ID/26379/Senate-Special-Session-approves-judicial-appointments)
- [Hawaii State Judiciary judicial profile or roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/courts/district/first_circuit)

## JSON-LD

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@graph": [
    {
      "@type": "WebPage",
      "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/chris-a-k-thomas-per-diem-judge-hawaii-first-circuit-hi",
      "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/chris-a-k-thomas-per-diem-judge-hawaii-first-circuit-hi",
      "name": "Chris A.K. Thomas | KnowJudges",
      "description": "Chris A.K. Thomas, Hawaii District and District Family Courts, First Circuit. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.",
      "dateModified": "2026-10-07",
      "isPartOf": {
        "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website"
      },
      "mainEntity": {
        "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/chris-a-k-thomas-per-diem-judge-hawaii-first-circuit-hi#judge"
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Person",
      "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/chris-a-k-thomas-per-diem-judge-hawaii-first-circuit-hi#judge",
      "name": "Chris A.K. Thomas",
      "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/chris-a-k-thomas-per-diem-judge-hawaii-first-circuit-hi",
      "jobTitle": "Per Diem Judge",
      "worksFor": {
        "@type": "GovernmentOrganization",
        "name": "Hawaii District and District Family Courts, First Circuit"
      },
      "sameAs": [
        "https://www.courts.state.hi.us/courts/district/first_circuit"
      ]
    },
    {
      "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
      "itemListElement": [
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 1,
          "name": "KnowJudges",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 2,
          "name": "Hawaii",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/hawaii"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 3,
          "name": "Chris A.K. Thomas",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/chris-a-k-thomas-per-diem-judge-hawaii-first-circuit-hi"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}
```
