---
title: "Harry T. Tanaka | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/harry-t-tanaka-7207"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Harry T. Tanaka

Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals
- State: Hawaii
- Role: Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-06-30

## Summary

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

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals, 1982-present
- Harry Toshio Tanaka (March 15, 1921 – December 19, 2017) was a distinguished American judge who served on the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals (ICA) from 1982 until his retirement in 1991
- 1961–1982 – Partner, Yamaguchi & Tanaka, Honolulu, practicing civil law for over 20 years
- 1953 – Law clerk to the presiding judge, U.S. District Court, Hawaii
- Law clerk to Judge J. Frank McLaughlin, U.S. District Court
- Associate, Tsukiyama & Yamaguchi / Law Office of Ralph T. Yamaguchi

### Education

- Law degree — Yale Law School — 1952
- University of Hawaii — B.A. (1949)

### Additional information

- In 1982, Governor George R. Ariyoshi appointed Tanaka to the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals.
- He was admitted to the Hawaii Bar in 1952 and later clerked for Judge J. Frank McLaughlin in the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii
- Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, the son of Kenichi and Hisayo (Nakano) Tanaka, Harry Toshio Tanaka obtained a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Hawaii in 1949 and a Bachelor of Laws (J.D.) from Yale University in 1952.
- Before his legal career, Tanaka held the role of a Sergeant in the U.S. Army (1943–1947), including time in the Military Intelligence Service in the Pacific Theater, primarily in New Guinea, where he translated captured Japanese documents and interrogated Japanese soldiers
- Practiced for more than 21 years.
- Served with distinction during the court’s early years, shaping its jurisprudence

## 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.courtlistener.com/person/7207/harry-t-tanaka/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7207/harry-t-tanaka/)
- [Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7207/harry-t-tanaka/)
- [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)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7207/harry-t-tanaka/)
- [Hawaii Judiciary proclamation honoring Judge Harry T. Tanaka](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2018-02-23-Proclamation-Judge-Harry-Tanaka-ICA.pdf)

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