--- title: "Karen T. Nakasone | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/karen-t-nakasone-chief-judge-hawaii-intermediate-court-of-appeals-hi" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Karen T. Nakasone Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals · Chief Judge ## Profile - Court: Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals - State: Hawaii - Role: Chief Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-08-09 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - The Chief Judge of the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals (ICA), appointed by Governor Josh Green on July 1, 2025, after serving as Associate Judge since 2020 - She had been an Associate Judge on the ICA since November 2, 2020, after nine years as a trial judge in the First Circuit Court of Hawai‘i (Oʻahu). - Karen Tooko Nakasone became Chief Judge of Hawaii's Intermediate Court of Appeals on July 1, 2025, appointed by Governor Josh Green - 2020–2025: Associate Judge, Intermediate Court of Appeals, appointed by Governor David Y. Ige - She held the role of an associate judge of that court from November 2, 2020 through June 30, 2025, appointed by Governor David Ige, and as a First Circuit judge from November 1, 2011 through November 1, 2020, appointed by Governor Neil Abercrombie - 2011–2020: Trial judge in the First Circuit Court (Civil and Criminal Divisions) under Governor Neil Abercrombie - Pre‐judicial career: Law clerk to ICA Judge Simeon R. Acoba Jr.; 15 years as a criminal trial and appellate lawyer for the State Office of the Public Defender ### Education ### Additional information - Her term as Chief Judge runs for ten years, ending in 2035 - Sworn in as Chief Judge of the ICA on July 1, 2025, following her confirmation by the Hawaii State Senate. - received the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association's Best Lawyers Under 40 award in 2009. - She was a 2008 Pacific Century Fellow - handling civil and criminal cases. - Chief judge service: Chief Judge - She attended Hawaii Baptist Academy, earned her undergraduate degree from Bryn Mawr College, attended UH Manoa, and studied at the University of the Ryukyus in Okinawa on scholarship. - She graduated from Boston University School of Law, clerked for Intermediate Court of Appeals Judge Simeon Acoba Jr., and was employed by fifteen years in the public defender's office on criminal trials and appeals. - She has called serving as Chief Judge “a tremendous honor, challenge and responsibility” and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to continue serving the people of Hawai‘i ## 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/courts/appeals/judges) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/courts/appeals/judges) - [Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/courts/appeals/judges) - [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/courts/appeals/judges) - [www.courts.state.hi.us](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/courts/circuit/judges/Karen_Nakasone) - [Hawaii State Judiciary judicial profile or roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/courts/appeals/judges) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/karen-t-nakasone-chief-judge-hawaii-intermediate-court-of-appeals-hi", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/karen-t-nakasone-chief-judge-hawaii-intermediate-court-of-appeals-hi", "name": "Karen T. 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