Fa'auuga L. To'oto'o at a glance
- Current role
- Circuit Court Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Hawaii · State
- Judicial service
- Active
- Term and retention
- Current term ends October 6, 2030
Fa'auuga L. To'oto'o
Circuit Court Judge · Hawaii Circuit Court, First Circuit
Biography
Professional career
- Circuit Court Judge, O‘ahu First Circuit (2010–present)
- Began his judicial career in 1994 as a District Court judge before his elevation to the Circuit Court in 2010.
- He held the role of a First Circuit District Court judge from 1994 until the Circuit Court appointment, following ten years as a Honolulu deputy prosecutor
- Judge Fa’auuga L. To’oto’o serves on the O‘ahu First Circuit Court of Hawai‘i, Division 19
- Has also held the role of a substitute justice for the Hawai‘i Supreme Court in rail litigation matters
Education
- Saint Louis University School of Law — J.D.
Additional information
- To’oto’o (2020), where he was named as a respondent in a dismissed appeal
- He was reappointed for another ten-year term in July 2020.
- Fa’auuga L. To’oto’o was appointed to the Oahu First Circuit Court by Governor Linda Lingle in 2010 and confirmed by the Hawaii Senate.
- During his 2010 confirmation, the Hawai‘i State Bar Association rated him “not qualified” without explanation, though the Senate unanimously confirmed him
- Judge To’oto’o appears in appellate records such as Barnes v.
- He has presided over criminal matters including domestic violence, felony cases, and high‐profile trials
- Past associations include director of the Kaneohe Cultural Foundation and board member of Palama Settlement.
- the bar association rated him not qualified during confirmation without publicly specifying reasons under its confidentiality rules; the Senate unanimously confirmed him, citing his judicial experience.
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
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View Remote Court Hearings via Zoom ↗Hawaii State Judiciary judicial profile or roster
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View Hawaii State Judiciary judicial profile or roster ↗