James S. Kawashima at a glance
- Current role
- Circuit Court Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Hawaii · State
- Judicial service
- Active
- Term and retention
- Current term ends November 29, 2032
James S. Kawashima
Circuit Court Judge · Hawaii Circuit Court, First Circuit
Biography
Professional career
- Circuit Court Judge for the First Circuit (Oʻahu) in Hawaii, appointed in 2022 to a 10‐year term ending November 29, 2032, and is recognized for his extensive legal experience in both criminal and civil cases
- Between 1992 and 1996 Kawashima served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in the Special Prosecution Unit of the Honolulu Department of the Prosecuting Attorney
- Kawashima’s career spans public service, private practice, and judicial work, giving him broad experience in criminal, civil, and administrative law
- held the role of District Court Judge (per diem) in the First Circuit
Education
- University of Southern California Law Center
Additional information
- Governor David Ige appointed Kawashima to fill the vacancy created by Judge Bert I. Ayabe’s retirement in October 2021.
- His name was selected from a Judicial Selection Commission list of five nominees, and the appointment required Senate confirmation Spectrum News.
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
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Remote Court Hearings via Zoom ↗