Jeannette H. Castagnetti at a glance
- Current role
- Circuit Court Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Hawaii · State
- Judicial service
- Active
- Term and retention
- Current term ends September 29, 2030
Jeannette H. Castagnetti
Circuit Court Judge · Hawaii Circuit Court, First Circuit
Biography
Professional career
- Circuit Court Judge on the Oʻahu First Circuit in Hawaii, serving in the Civil Division and currently in her second 10‐year term through September 29, 2030
- She has held the role of Chief Judge of the Oʻahu First Circuit Court, Deputy Chief Judge and Administrative Judge of the First Circuit’s Civil Division, and Senior Environmental Court Judge when the court was established in 2015
- Began her judicial service in 2007 as a per diem judge in the First Circuit District Court, hearing civil and criminal matters
- Before her circuit appointment, she held the role of a per diem District Court judge beginning in December 2007.
- prior service as a court-annexed-arbitration volunteer, an American Inns of Court Aloha Chapter barrister, and a Litigation Counsel of America fellow
Education
- BA from Pitzer College and a JD from California Western School of Law.
Additional information
- In 2022, she was named Jurist of the Year by the Supreme Court of the State of Hawai‘i, recognized for her 15‐year judicial career, leadership, and mentorship
- Joined the Circuit Court bench by former Governor Linda Lingle in 2010 and approved for a second term by the Hawaii Senate in March 2020.
- Her legal career encompassed civil litigation with Bronster Hoshibata, prosecuting work for Honolulu in career-criminal, domestic-violence and juvenile-offender divisions, and an externship with Judge Barry Kurren.
- She also served on the Task Force on Civil Justice Improvements and the Committee on Judicial Education
- Judge Castagnetti has chaired the Permanent Committee on Rules of Civil Procedure and Circuit Court Civil Rules, the Committee on Pattern Civil Jury Instructions, and the Judicial Arbitration Commission.
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
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View Remote Court Hearings via Zoom ↗Hawaii State Judiciary judicial profile or roster
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View Hawaii State Judiciary judicial profile or roster ↗