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title: "Frederick Matson Kelley | KnowJudges"
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---

# Frederick Matson Kelley

Hawaii District and District Family Courts, Second Circuit · Per Diem Judge

## Profile

- Court: Hawaii District and District Family Courts, Second Circuit
- State: Hawaii
- Role: Per Diem Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-08-09

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Matson Kelley is a senior attorney at Kelley & Wilkins

### Education

- Santa Clara University — B.S.

### Additional information

- In 2024, he argued before the Hawaii Supreme Court in HELG, et al. v.
- It details his 2024 Hawaii Supreme Court argument in HELG v.
- Matson Kelley has been a trial attorney and litigator for over 20 years, with more than 10,000 hours in the courtroom.
- Maui-based attorney and per diem judge in Hawaii’s Second Judicial Circuit, presiding over District and Family Court cases
- Current per diem judge serving in the District and/or District Family courts in Hawaii's Second Circuit.
- He graduated magna cum laude from University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law
- He has handled cases in every court in Hawaii, including the Circuit Court, District Court, Honolulu Federal Court, and the Hawaii Supreme Court.
- The Hawaii Judiciary lists Frederick Matson Kelley as one of the per diem judges for the Second Circuit (Maui), meaning he presides over cases in District and/or District Family Courts on a part-time basis
- His firm biography explicitly states that he serves as a per diem judge in Family and District Court.
- He earlier held the role of a Honolulu deputy prosecuting attorney.
- His experience includes legal services for Santa Clara Superior Court, pro bono work for Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, a Honolulu summer associateship, and a federal externship with Magistrate Judge Leslie Kobayashi.
- Before private practice, Kelley held the role of Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Honolulu and has provided legal services for the Santa Clara Superior Court and the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii.
- He is a graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law (Magna Cum Laude) and Santa Clara University, and has received multiple awards, including the Palaka Award from the Rotary Club of Maui
- While in Santa Clara business school he entered its law school Early Start Program before transferring to University of Hawaii.
- His firm reports Lawyer of Distinction recognition and the Rotary Club of Maui Palaka Award.
- Department of Health involving a child’s loss-of-parental-consortium claim.

## 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/courts/district/perdiem/second_circuit)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/courts/district/perdiem/second_circuit)
- [Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/courts/district/perdiem/second_circuit)
- [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/courts/district/perdiem/second_circuit)
- [www.kelleyandwilkins.com](https://www.kelleyandwilkins.com/matson-kelley/)
- [Hawaii State Judiciary judicial profile or roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/courts/district/perdiem/second_circuit)

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