---
title: "Kaupena F. Soon | KnowJudges"
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updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Kaupena F. Soon

Hawaii District and District Family Courts, First Circuit · Per Diem Judge

## Profile

- Court: Hawaii District and District Family Courts, First Circuit
- State: Hawaii
- Role: Per Diem Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-08-09

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Private Practice at the Law Firm of Akamu Soon
- He clerked for Third Circuit Judge Greg K. Nakamura

### Education

- BS in Facilities Management from Brigham Young University–Provo, and there he played rugby, and a JD from the William S. Richardson School of Law.

### Additional information

- He has handled cases ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies, and is licensed to practice in Hawai‘i since 2011
- He earlier managed Akamu Soon, LLLP and held the role of a deputy public defender from 2011 to 2016.
- representing clients in criminal matters
- Current per diem judge serving in the District and/or District Family courts in Hawaii's First Circuit.
- Per diem judge for the O’ahu First Circuit Family Court of Hawai‘i, with a background in criminal defense law and public service
- Kaupena F. Soon practices criminal defense throughout Hawaii.
- Per diem judges are appointed to hear cases on a part-time basis, and in this role, Judge Soon presides over family matters, including divorce and separation cases, as seen in recent filings such as Guerrero v.
- In law school he captained the Native American Moot Court team
- obtained a CALI award in Federal Indian Law.
- Before law school he worked in project and facilities management, among them federal contracts and vendor relations.

## 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/district/first_circuit)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/courts/district/first_circuit)
- [Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/courts/district/first_circuit)
- [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/district/first_circuit)
- [www.hawaiilegalcounsel.com](http://www.hawaiilegalcounsel.com/attorneys)
- [Hawaii State Judiciary judicial profile or roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/courts/district/first_circuit)

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