M. Kanani Laubach at a glance
- Current role
- District Family Judge, Deputy Chief Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Hawaii · State
- Judicial service
- Active
- Term and retention
- Current term ends August 9, 2028
M. Kanani Laubach
District Family Judge, Deputy Chief Judge · Hawaii Family Court, Third Circuit
Biography
Professional career
- August 10, 2016, by Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald (Appointed)
- The Deputy Chief Judge of the District Court of the Third Circuit (Hawai‘i Island) and a judge of the District Family Court of the Third Circuit, appointed in 2016
- Prior to serving on the bench Judge Laubach worked as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney with the City and County of Honolulu as well as the County of Hawaii from 2003-2011
- Between 2006 and 2010, Laubach served as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in the County of Hawaii Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, where she worked on criminal cases in District, Family, and Circuit Court
- Deputy Prosecuting Attorney with the City and County of Honolulu Department of the Prosecuting Attorney in the Domestic Violence Misdemeanor, Misdemeanor Jury Demand, and Felony Trials divisions (2003–2006)
- Deputy Chief Judge, Hawaii Circuit Court, Third Circuit
- Various judicial committees supporting the mission of the Hawai‘i Judiciary to deliver impartial, efficient, and accessible justice
Education
- Chaminade University of Hawaii — 2000
- University of Hawaii William S
Additional information
- Previous interim role: Interim Deputy Chief Judge (June 1, 2019 – June 26, 2020)
- She later joined Laubach & Frenz in 2012
- From 2003 to 2011, Laubach held the role of a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the City and County of Honolulu and the County of Hawai‘i, working on domestic violence misdemeanors, felony trials, and violent crime cases In 2011, she entered private practice handling criminal, family, and civil litigation/collection matters Judiciary
- Official bio: Hawai‘i Judiciary – Judge M. Kanani Laubach Judiciary
- Chief judge service: Deputy Chief Judge
- She has also been active in community and legal organizations, including the Hawai‘i County Bar Association and the Court Annexed Arbitration Program
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Extended Coverage Notice
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.
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 ↗
Camera Microphone Placement
Statewide
Hawaii leaves courtroom camera and microphone placement to the judge and cautions that judges may differ on placement rules.
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 ↗
Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 6, 2026.
Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster ↗Cameras and Audio Equipment
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Cameras and Audio Equipment ↗Remote Court Hearings via Zoom
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
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