--- title: "Michael D. Scarbo | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-d-scarbo-per-diem-judge-hawaii-fifth-circuit-hi" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Michael D. Scarbo 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 - Per Diem Judge in the Fifth Circuit Court of the State of Hawai‘i and a nominee for the Circuit Judge position on Kaua‘i following the retirement of Judge Kathleen N.A. Watanabe in August 2025 - The Judicial Selection Commission submitted Scarbo as one of five nominees to fill the Circuit Judge vacancy in the Fifth Circuit - Fifth Circuit per diem judge on Kauai and a partner at McCorriston Miller Mukai MacKinnon - Graduate of Willamette University College of Law in Oregon and previously served as a reporter, public school teacher, licensed real estate agent, and small business owner on Kaua‘i - Partner at McCorriston Miller Mukai MacKinnon LLP in Kaua‘i, where he practices primarily in estate planning and real estate law. ### Education ### Additional information - He and his family have been based in Kaua‘i since 2003 - His family has lived on Kauai since 2003. - The position became vacant after Judge Watanabe’s retirement in August 2025. - Joined the firm at the start of 2024 and practices estate planning and real estate law. - He was admitted to the Hawaii bar in 2014. - Born and raised in Massachusetts, he obtained a BA from Davidson College in 1998 and graduated cum laude from Willamette University College of Law. - Current per diem judge serving in the District and/or District Family courts in Hawaii's Fifth Circuit. - One of the Per Diem Judges for the Fifth Circuit (Kaua‘i), presiding in District and/or District Family Courts. - Before his legal career he held a position as a reporter, public-school teacher, licensed real-estate agent and small-business owner. - The Governor’s release lists him as a candidate for a Fifth Circuit Court vacancy. ## 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/michael-scarbo.html) - [governor.hawaii.gov](https://governor.hawaii.gov/newsroom/office-of-the-governor-news-release-gov-green-considers-nominees-for-kaua%CA%BBi-circuit-court/) - [Hawaii State Judiciary judicial profile or roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/courts/district/fifth_circuit) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-d-scarbo-per-diem-judge-hawaii-fifth-circuit-hi", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-d-scarbo-per-diem-judge-hawaii-fifth-circuit-hi", "name": "Michael D. 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