--- title: "Henry T. Nakamoto | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/henry-t-nakamoto-circuit-court-judge-hawaii-circuit-court-third-circuit-hi" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Henry T. Nakamoto Hawaii Circuit Court, Third Circuit · Circuit Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Hawaii Circuit Court, Third 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 - Selected as a Circuit Court Judge of the Third Circuit on October 30, 2017, by Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald, with his term expiring on October 29, 2027 - Prior to this, he held the role of a Family District Court Judge of the Third Circuit starting in 2014, where he also held the role of Administrative Judge for the District Court. - From 1991 to 2014, he was an attorney with the law firm Nakamoto, Okamoto and Yamamoto, becoming a partner in 1996 - Earlier, he served as an associate at Goodsill, Anderson, Quinn & Stifel in Honolulu from 1989 to 1991 - Circuit Court Judge, Hawaii Circuit Court, Third Circuit ### Education - University of California Hastings College of the Law — 1989 ### Additional information - Judges in Hawaii, including Nakamoto, may recuse themselves from cases if their impartiality could reasonably be questioned, as he did in the 2026 Hilo double homicide case involving Joshua Ho - He held the role of President of the Hawaiʻi County Bar Association in 2000 and has been involved with Waiakea Intermediate School’s Community Council and the Waiakea High School Foundation, where he has held the presidency for nearly ten years. - the Cornell University and Hastings College of the Law, and was admitted to the Hawaii State Bar in 1989 - Highly experienced jurist with a long-standing career in law and public service, recognized for his expertise in family and civil law, and his active engagement in Hawaii’s legal and community organizations - Beyond his judicial duties, Nakamoto has been active in professional and community service. ## 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/judge-henry-t-nakamoto) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/judge-henry-t-nakamoto) - [Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/judge-henry-t-nakamoto) - [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/judge-henry-t-nakamoto) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/henry-t-nakamoto-circuit-court-judge-hawaii-circuit-court-third-circuit-hi", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/henry-t-nakamoto-circuit-court-judge-hawaii-circuit-court-third-circuit-hi", "name": "Henry T. 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