David M. Hayakawa at a glance
- Current role
- District Court Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Hawaii · State
- Judicial service
- Active
David M. Hayakawa
District Court Judge · Hawaii District Court, First Circuit
Biography
Professional career
- Judge on the Oʻahu First Circuit District Court of Hawaiʻi, appointed in 2023 by Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald and confirmed by the Hawaiʻi State Senate
- On August 3, 2023, Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald announced David M. Hayakawa’s appointment to the First Circuit District Court, subject to Senate confirmation
- Associate, Law Office of Howard Luke (criminal defense) (2004–2012)
- Earlier he handled criminal defense at the Law Office of Howard Luke from 2004–2012, family law at Coates & Frey from 1999–2004, and held the role of a deputy public defender from 1987–1999.
- Associate, Coates & Frey (family law) (1999–2004).
- District Court Judge, Hawaii District Court, First Circuit
Education
- University of Hawaiʻi William S
Additional information
- Hayakawa’s appointment was part of a 2023 group of three new District Court judges on Oʻahu, alongside Robert J. Brown and Erika E. Ireland.
- 2012–2023: Sole practitioner, Law Office of David Hayakawa
- He graduated from University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law and joined the Hawaii bar in 1987.
- His legal career spans public defense, private practice in family and criminal law, and solo practice before joining the bench
- At the announcement he worked at the Law Office of David Hayakawa.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Extended Coverage Notice
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.
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 ↗
Camera Microphone Placement
Statewide
Hawaii leaves courtroom camera and microphone placement to the judge and cautions that judges may differ on placement rules.
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 ↗
Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked July 26, 2026.
Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster ↗Cameras and Audio Equipment
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Cameras and Audio Equipment ↗Remote Court Hearings via Zoom
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Remote Court Hearings via Zoom ↗Hawaii State Judiciary judicial profile or roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Hawaii State Judiciary judicial profile or roster ↗www.courts.state.hi.us
Biography source · HTML · Source checked October 5, 2026
View www.courts.state.hi.us ↗