--- title: "Jeffrey Hawk | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jeffrey-hawk-district-court-judge-hawaii-district-court-third-circuit-hi" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Jeffrey Hawk Hawaii District Court, Third Circuit · District Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Hawaii District Court, Third Circuit - State: Hawaii - Role: District 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 - Hawk has extensive experience in criminal law, having tried 95 criminal jury trial cases, and previously operated his own criminal law practice in the Volcano area since 2017 - Joined the District Court of the Third Circuit in Hilo by Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald on August 28, 2019 - District Court Judge, Hawaii District Court, Third Circuit ### Education - Hawk is a graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law and was admitted to the Hawaiʻi State Bar in 1997, holding a BA from the University of California at Berkeley ### Additional information - He has held the role of a board member of Adult Friends for Youth for 15 years, volunteered as a firefighter in the Volcano area since 2017, and participated in the 2015 Committee to Review and Make Revisions to the Hawaiʻi Penal Code. - From 2006-2014, Hawk served as a member of the Defender Council, the governing body of the Office of the Public Defender. - All submissions are kept confidential and are used to evaluate whether Judge Hawk should be retained - Seasoned legal professional with a strong background in criminal law, public defense, and community service. - Judge Hawk has presided over criminal cases, including rulings on bail and custody matters. - Public input is actively sought to inform the Commission’s decision on his retention - He also spent 13 years handling criminal cases on Oʻahu with the firm Hawk, Sing & Ignacio and served five years as a deputy public defender. - Prior to that, Hawk served for five years as a Deputy Public Defender. - For example, he maintained bail at $468,000 for a Pahoa man charged with multiple felonies, including firearm and drug offenses, after considering arguments from both the defense and prosecution - He currently serves as a District Court Judge in Hilo and is undergoing the judicial retention process for a potential additional six-year term. - Prior to this appointment, he held the role of a per diem (part-time) District Family Court judge on both the Big Island and Oʻahu. - Beyond his judicial duties, Hawk has been active in the community. ## 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_3c) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_3c) - [Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_3c) - [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_3c) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jeffrey-hawk-district-court-judge-hawaii-district-court-third-circuit-hi", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jeffrey-hawk-district-court-judge-hawaii-district-court-third-circuit-hi", "name": "Jeffrey Hawk | KnowJudges", "description": "Jeffrey Hawk, Hawaii District Court, Third Circuit. 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