--- title: "Melanie May | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/melanie-may-deputy-chief-judge-hawaii-circuit-court-first-circuit-hi" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Melanie May Hawaii District Court, First Circuit · District Court Judge, Deputy Chief Judge ## Profile - Court: Hawaii District Court, First Circuit - State: Hawaii - Role: District Court Judge, Deputy Chief Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge, District Court of Appeal of Florida, 2002-present - Judge Melanie G. May is a retired Florida appellate judge who served on the Fourth District Court of Appeal from 2002 until her retirement on December 31, 2026, after nearly 25 years on the bench - 2011–2013 – held the role of Chief Judge of the Fourth District Court of Appeal - Melanie Mito May was appointed to the Oahu First Circuit District Court by Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald in April 2011 and confirmed by the Hawaii Senate - Deputy Chief Judge, Hawaii Circuit Court, First Circuit - Multiple local and national judicial ethics, access to court records, and juvenile justice boards - In her resignation letter, Judge May expressed gratitude to colleagues, the Broward County community, and the Fourth District for their support during her service - She also had nine years of experience as an arbitrator in the Court Annexed Arbitration Program ### Education - Hastings College of Law in — J.D. (1996) - Santa Clara University — B.S. - Florida Atlantic University — B.A. ### Additional information - Practitioner, 2001-2001 - Practiced at Marr Jones and Wang from 1997 until her judicial appointment, following clerkships for Judges Kevin S.C. Chang and Daniel G. Heely. - Chief judge service: Deputy Chief Judge - She also valued her work in Broward County’s Delinquency and Drug Court Divisions ## 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) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6985/melanie-may/) - [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) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6985/melanie-may/) - [ballotpedia.org](https://ballotpedia.org/Melanie_Mito_May) - [Hawaii State Judiciary judicial profile or roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_1c) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6985/melanie-may/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/melanie-may-deputy-chief-judge-hawaii-circuit-court-first-circuit-hi", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/melanie-may-deputy-chief-judge-hawaii-circuit-court-first-circuit-hi", "name": "Melanie May | KnowJudges", "description": "Melanie May, Hawaii District Court, First Circuit. 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