---
title: "Fa'auuga L. To'oto'o | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/faauuga-l-tootoo-circuit-court-judge-hawaii-circuit-court-first-circuit-hi"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Fa'auuga L. To'oto'o

Hawaii Circuit Court, First Circuit · Circuit Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: Hawaii Circuit Court, First Circuit
- State: Hawaii
- Role: Circuit 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

- 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.

## 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/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_1c)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_1c)
- [Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_1c)
- [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/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_1c)
- [ballotpedia.org](https://ballotpedia.org/Fa%27auuga_To%27oto%27o)
- [Hawaii State Judiciary judicial profile or roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_1c)

## JSON-LD

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@graph": [
    {
      "@type": "WebPage",
      "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/faauuga-l-tootoo-circuit-court-judge-hawaii-circuit-court-first-circuit-hi",
      "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/faauuga-l-tootoo-circuit-court-judge-hawaii-circuit-court-first-circuit-hi",
      "name": "Fa'auuga L. To'oto'o | KnowJudges",
      "description": "Fa'auuga L. To'oto'o, Hawaii Circuit Court, 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/faauuga-l-tootoo-circuit-court-judge-hawaii-circuit-court-first-circuit-hi#judge"
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Person",
      "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/faauuga-l-tootoo-circuit-court-judge-hawaii-circuit-court-first-circuit-hi#judge",
      "name": "Fa'auuga L. To'oto'o",
      "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/faauuga-l-tootoo-circuit-court-judge-hawaii-circuit-court-first-circuit-hi",
      "jobTitle": "Circuit Court Judge",
      "worksFor": {
        "@type": "GovernmentOrganization",
        "name": "Hawaii Circuit Court, First Circuit"
      },
      "sameAs": [
        "https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_1c"
      ]
    },
    {
      "@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": "Fa'auuga L. To'oto'o",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/faauuga-l-tootoo-circuit-court-judge-hawaii-circuit-court-first-circuit-hi"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}
```