---
title: "Jeannette H. Castagnetti | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jeannette-h-castagnetti-circuit-court-judge-hawaii-circuit-court-first-circuit-hi"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Jeannette H. Castagnetti

Hawaii Circuit Court, First Circuit · Circuit Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: Hawaii Circuit Court, First 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

- 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.

## 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/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_1c)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_1c)
- [Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_1c)
- [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/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_1c)
- [ballotpedia.org](https://ballotpedia.org/Jeannette_Castagnetti)
- [Hawaii State Judiciary judicial profile or roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_1c)

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