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title: "Matthew Bracken | KnowJudges"
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# Matthew Bracken

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

## Profile

- Court: Hawaii District and District Family Courts, Fifth 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

- On November 3, 2025, Tyler Saito was sworn in as the new County Attorney, succeeding Bracken
- Bracken had been the County Attorney for the County of Kaua‘i for seven years, with over ten years of total service to the county
- Matthew M. Bracken is listed as a Fifth Circuit per diem judge on Kauai
- His successor, Tyler Saito, brings a background in both litigation and advisory work, having previously held the role of First Deputy County Attorney

### Education

- JD cum laude from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers School of Law in 2014 and two BS degrees magna cum laude from Brigham Young University–Hawaii in 2010, in Business Management Investment Finance and Tourism & Hospitality Management.

### Additional information

- He was admitted in Hawaii and Arizona in 2014 and the District of Hawaii in 2015; his firm lists Arizona admission as inactive.
- No longer serving as Kaua‘i County Attorney; he stepped down after more than a decade in the role to join the local law firm McCorriston Miller Mukai MacKinnon LLP
- Current per diem judge serving in the District and/or District Family courts in Hawaii's Fifth Circuit.
- The Kaua‘i County Council confirmed Saito’s appointment, and the county publicly thanked Bracken for his contributions
- Partner at McCorriston Miller Mukai MacKinnon with a practice in land use, zoning, real estate, regulatory requirements and civil litigation.
- In this position, he was responsible for defending the county in court, reviewing legislation, and advising county departments and elected officials.
- He earlier held the role of Kauai County Attorney, advising the mayor and council and representing the county in state and federal courts, administrative proceedings, employment grievances and labor arbitration.
- Bracken’s departure marks the end of a long-standing legal leadership role in Kaua‘i County governance

## 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/fifth_circuit)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/courts/district/fifth_circuit)
- [Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/courts/district/fifth_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/fifth_circuit)
- [www.m4law.com](https://www.m4law.com/attorneys/matthew-bracken.html)
- [Hawaii State Judiciary judicial profile or roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/courts/district/fifth_circuit)

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