--- title: "Kenneth J. Shimozono | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kenneth-j-shimozono-district-court-judge-hawaii-district-court-first-circuit-hi" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Kenneth J. Shimozono Hawaii District Court, First Circuit · District Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Hawaii District Court, First 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 - Appointed to the First Circuit District Family Court by Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald in 2018, subject to Senate confirmation. - Judge on the Oʻahu First Circuit District Court of Hawaiʻi, appointed in 2018 by Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald, and has also held the role of a per diem judge in the First Circuit Family Court - Practiced criminal defense as a partner at Takemoto & Shimozono beginning in 2005 and earlier held the role of a per diem District Family Court judge. - Legal Practice: Partner, Takemoto & Shimozono, LLC (criminal defense) Grand Jury Counsel, First Circuit - District Court Judge, Hawaii District Court, First Circuit - He spent ten years as a deputy public defender in Honolulu, clerked for Associate Justice Paula A. Nakayama and held the role of First Circuit grand jury counsel ### Education ### Additional information - The Judicial Selection Commission (JSC) is evaluating his retention, and the public was invited to submit confidential comments or complete the Judicial Retention Evaluation Form (JS‐P‐081) by May 7, 2024 - He graduated from Willamette University College of Law and entered the Hawaii bar in 1994. - Judicial Service: Per diem judge, First Circuit Family Court Current: District Family Judge, First Circuit - The appointment release identifies Board of Bar Examiners membership and volunteer sports coaching. ## 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) - [www.courts.state.hi.us](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/news_and_reports/2018/06/chief-justice-appoints-shimozono-yoo-hiatt-and-deweese-as-district-court-judges) - [Hawaii State Judiciary judicial profile or roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_1c) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kenneth-j-shimozono-district-court-judge-hawaii-district-court-first-circuit-hi", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kenneth-j-shimozono-district-court-judge-hawaii-district-court-first-circuit-hi", "name": "Kenneth J. 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