--- title: "James Wakatsuki | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-wakatsuki-4137" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # James Wakatsuki 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, 1983-present - Judge, Hawaii Supreme Court, 1984-1994 - James Wakatsuki (1929–1992) was a Hawaii legislator, circuit judge and Supreme Court associate justice - James Hiroji “Hoji” Wakatsuki (August 17, 1929 – September 22, 1992) was a Japanese American politician, lawyer, and justice of the Supreme Court of Hawaii, serving from 1983 until his death in office - In 1983, he was nominated to the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals and later confirmed as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Hawaii in 1984 - Appointed Hawaii State Circuit Court judge in 1980 ### Education - He attended Farrington High School, the University of Hawaiʻi, and later completed a bachelor’s degree in business at Bowling Green State University before earning his J.D. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison Law School in 1954. ### Additional information - legis, 1983-1983 - Governor George Ariyoshi appointed him to the circuit bench in 1980; he was appointed to the Hawaii Supreme Court in 1983 and confirmed in September that year. - He rose to become Speaker of the House (1975–1980), earning the nickname “The Opihi” for his steadfast, unyielding approach to issues - He entered the Territorial House in 1958 and the State House in 1959, later serving as House speaker from 1974 to 1980. - He opened a law office in Kalihi in 1957 and was elected to the Hawaii House of Representatives in 1958, serving until 1980. - A 1974 circuit nomination was withdrawn when the expected vacancy did not occur. - He opened a Honolulu law office in 1956 and held a position as a Territorial House committee law clerk in 1957. - Densho describes his Honolulu upbringing, Farrington High School education, Army service in 1948–1949, business bachelor degree from Bowling Green University, and graduation from the University of Wisconsin law school in 1954. - He served in the U.S. Army from 1948 to 1949 - Date of birth: 1929-08-17 - After law school, Wakatsuki worked in Washington, D.C., and as a clerk in the Hawaii Territorial Legislature. - His practice focused on real-estate and corporate matters. - Wakatsuki was born in Kalihi, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, to Japanese immigrants. - Wakatsuki was known for his community service, including leadership in the Kalihi YMCA and the Honolulu Junior Japanese Chamber of Commerce ## 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/4137/james-wakatsuki/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4137/james-wakatsuki/) - [Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4137/james-wakatsuki/) - [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/4137/james-wakatsuki/) - [encyclopedia.densho.org](https://encyclopedia.densho.org/James%20Wakatsuki/) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4137/james-wakatsuki/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-wakatsuki-4137", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-wakatsuki-4137", "name": "James Wakatsuki | KnowJudges", "description": "James Wakatsuki, Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals. 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