Denise K.H. Kawatachi at a glance
- Current role
- Per Diem Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Hawaii · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Denise K.H. Kawatachi
Per Diem Judge · Hawaii District and District Family Courts, First Circuit
Biography
Professional career
- Per diem judges are appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Hawaii to hear cases in district courts on a part-time basis, alongside full-time judges
- The directory explicitly identifies her appointment by the Hawaii Supreme Court Chief Justice as an Oahu District Court per diem judge
- Per diem judge in the First Circuit District Court of Hawaii, serving on Oahu, and a licensed attorney with over two decades of legal experience in personal injury and related areas
Education
- Undergraduate degree in international business, with distinction, from University of Hawaii, and a JD from its William S. Richardson School of Law in 1997.
Additional information
- Denise K.H. Kawatachi joined her firm in 1998.
- Current per diem judge serving in the District and/or District Family courts in Hawaii's First Circuit.
- Listed among the First Circuit Per Diem Judges (Oahu), presiding in District and/or District Family Courts.
- American Association for Justice
- She handles personal injury cases throughout Hawaii.
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 August 9, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 9, 2026.
Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 9, 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 August 9, 2026
View Hawaii State Judiciary judicial profile or roster ↗personalinjurylawyersearch.org
Biography source · HTML · Source checked October 5, 2026
View personalinjurylawyersearch.org ↗