---
title: "Darien W.L. Ching Nagata | KnowJudges"
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updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Darien W.L. Ching Nagata

Hawaii Family Court, Third Circuit · Family Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: Hawaii Family Court, Third Circuit
- State: Hawaii
- Role: Family 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

- Hawai‘i Third Circuit Family Court (Hawai‘i Island) and is listed as a District Family Court Judge with a term running from May 20, 2022, to May 19, 2028.
- District Family Court Judge for the Hawai‘i Third Circuit, appointed in 2016 by Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald to fill the vacancy created by Judge Barbara T. Takase’s retirement
- From 1998 to 2016 she held the role of a deputy prosecuting attorney for the County of Hawaii
- Community service: Volunteer arbitrator for the Court Annexed Arbitration Program, volunteer mediator for the Hawai‘i County Foreclosure Mediation Program, and Commissioner of the Hawai‘i Access to Justice Commission

### Education

- University of Hawai‘i William S

### Additional information

- She received the Outstanding Judicial Achievement Award from the Hawai‘i Women Lawyers in 2021
- She graduated from University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law and was admitted to the Hawaii bar in 1997.
- Family Court Judge, Hawaii Family Court, Third Circuit.
- Official site: Hawai‘i Judiciary – Judge Darien W.L. Ching Nagata Judiciary
- Nagata has been active in the Hawai‘i State Bar Association, Hawai‘i County Bar Association, and Hawai‘i State Trial Judges Association.

## 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/judge-darien-w-l-ching-nagata)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/judge-darien-w-l-ching-nagata)
- [Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/judge-darien-w-l-ching-nagata)
- [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/judge-darien-w-l-ching-nagata)

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