--- title: "Maria F. Penn | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/maria-f-penn-family-court-judge-hawaii-family-court-first-circuit-hi" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Maria F. Penn Hawaii Family Court, First Circuit · Family Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Hawaii Family Court, First Circuit - State: Hawaii - Role: Family 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 - She had held the role of a per diem District Family Court judge since May 2022. - Sworn in on August 14, 2025 as a District Family Court Judge for the First Circuit (Oʻahu). - Sworn in as a First Circuit District Family Court judge on August 14, 2025 for a six-year term, following her April 4 appointment by Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald. - Her appointment was part of a trio of new judges (with Wilson A. Unga and Rochelle I. Vidinha) sworn in by Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald, marking the last such event before the Chief Justice’s retirement in 2025 ### Education - University of Hawaiʻi William S ### Additional information - She graduated from the William S. Richardson School of Law and was admitted to the Hawaii bar in 2003. - Family Court Judge, Hawaii Family Court, First Circuit. - District Family Court Judge for the First Circuit (Oʻahu) and a per diem judge in the Oʻahu First Circuit District Court, with a background in family law, civil litigation, and legal advocacy - She also practiced family law in divorce and paternity cases and volunteered as a Family Court settlement master. - As a solo practitioner she handled medical malpractice, personal injury, civil-rights and police-brutality claims, contract disputes and other civil litigation. ## 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/2025/04/chief-justice-appoints-district-family-court-judges-2) - [www.courts.state.hi.us](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/news_and_reports/2025/08/penn-unga-and-vidinha-sworn-in-as-district-family-court-judges-on-o%ca%bbahu) - [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/maria-f-penn-family-court-judge-hawaii-family-court-first-circuit-hi", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/maria-f-penn-family-court-judge-hawaii-family-court-first-circuit-hi", "name": "Maria F. 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