---
title: "Kimberly B.M. Tsuchiya | KnowJudges"
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page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Kimberly B.M. Tsuchiya

Hawaii Circuit Court, Third Circuit · Circuit Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: Hawaii Circuit Court, Third 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

- Listed on the official Third Circuit roster as Division 3 Circuit Court Judge, with a displayed term December 2, 2021–December 1, 2027
- Sworn in on December 2, 2021, alongside Judge Wendy M. DeWeese, in a virtual ceremony presided over by Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald

### Education


### Additional information

- In May 2024, Judge Tsuchiya sentenced Reuben Lelah, a 72‐year‐old Kailua‐Kona clinical psychologist, to 20 years in prison for sexually assaulting a 14‐ to 15‐year‐old boy in 2019
- Kimberly B.M. Tsuchiya at a persistent profile URL bearing the name Kimberly Bryn Mari Taniyama, and reports Richardson education, Hawaii bar admission in 1997 and birth in 1972.
- One of several judges in the Third Circuit, which handles a range of civil and criminal cases in West and East Hawaii
- The corresponding Kimberly B.M. Taniyama biography reports a BA from Loyola Marymount University, a law degree from William S. Richardson, nineteen years as a Hawaii County deputy prosecutor, and later private practice and per diem judicial service.

## 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)
- [ballotpedia.org](https://ballotpedia.org/Kimberly_B.M._Taniyama)
- [www.lawyers.com](https://www.lawyers.com/kealakekua/hawaii/kimberly-bryn-mari-taniyama-2098102-a/)
- [Hawaii State Judiciary judicial profile or roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_3c)

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