---
title: "Mahilani Hiatt | KnowJudges"
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---

# Mahilani Hiatt

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

## Profile

- Court: Hawaii District and District Family Courts, Third 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

- Appointed Per Diem Judge in both the District and District Family Courts of the Third Circuit in 2017, reappointed in 2018, and subsequently became District Family Court Judge in 2018.
- She became a Third Circuit per diem District and Family Court judge in June 2017, was reappointed in June 2018, and became a District Family Court judge in August 2018.
- After a period as a stay-at-home parent from 2001 to 2005, she joined Hiatt & Hiatt, becoming a full partner in 2010.
- Her legal career began as an associate at Bays Deaver Hiatt Lung & Rose in complex civil litigation

### Education

- William S. Richardson School of Law in — J.D. (1993)
- Mahilani E.K. Hiatt graduated from Kamehameha Schools Kapalama in 1980, obtained a BA in history from Colorado College in 1984, and graduated from the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law in 1993.

### Additional information

- Retired at the end of September 2021.
- She held the role of vice president of the Hawaii State Trial Judges Association in 2020–2021.
- She completed mediation training in 2018 and volunteers with West Hawaii and Kuikahi mediation centers.
- Hawaii Best Lawyers recognition in labor/employment litigation in 2016–2018; community service and co-founding Hiatt scholarships.
- In 2000 she became a human-resources administrator at Hawaii Electric Light Company
- Current per diem judge serving in the District and/or District Family courts in Hawaii's Third Circuit.
- Her biography lists bar admissions in Hawaii state courts, the District of Hawaii and Ninth Circuit
- Mahilani E.K. Hiatt (Ret.) is a retired Hawaii district and family court judge with extensive experience in civil, labor, and family law, as well as mediation and arbitration
- Her practice included employment, labor, medical malpractice, personal injury, construction, real-property and partnership disputes.
- She has also been active in the Hawai‘i State Bar Association and other professional organizations
- She also held the role of Executive Managing Editor of the University of Hawai‘i Law Review and held leadership roles in the Student Bar Association
- She was awarded multiple honors, including the Michael Porter Dean’s Scholarship Award for First Year and the National Association of Women Lawyers Outstanding Woman Law Graduate award.
- She was executive managing editor of the Hawaii Law Review and held Student Bar Association leadership positions.
- handling grievances and labor arbitrations.

## 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/perdiem/third_circuit)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/courts/district/perdiem/third_circuit)
- [Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/courts/district/perdiem/third_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/perdiem/third_circuit)
- [dprhawaii.com](https://dprhawaii.com/panel_members/the-honorable-mahilani-hiatt/)
- [Hawaii State Judiciary judicial profile or roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/courts/district/perdiem/third_circuit)

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