Michael K. Soong at a glance
- Current role
- Chief Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Hawaii · State
- Judicial service
- Active
- Term and retention
- Current term ends April 23, 2036
Michael K. Soong
Chief Judge · Hawaii Circuit Court, Fifth Circuit
Biography
Professional career
- practiced criminal law and personal injury litigation as a partner in the law firm of Soong & Feldhacker, A.A.L. since 2004, and as a solo practitioner since 2009
- Circuit Court Chief Judge: Appointed by Governor Josh Green in March 2026, confirmed by the Hawaiʻi State Senate in April 2026
- District Court Judge (Kauaʻi): Appointed by Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald on September 2, 2016, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of Hon
- Prior to his appointment Soong served as Prosecuting attorney for the County of Kauai from 1996-2004, and had been in private practice from 2004
- Previously, Soong was a Deputy Corporation Counsel for the County of Hawaiʻi from 1986-1987; a Deputy Public Defender from 1987-1989; a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the County of Kauaʻi from 1991-1996; and an associate attorney with the Law Office of Walton D.Y. Hong, emphasizing in real estate transactions and land use
- Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of the Fifth Circuit, covering Kauaʻi and Niʻihau, and continues as a District Court Judge for Kauaʻi
- Chief Judge, Hawaii Circuit Court, Fifth Circuit
Education
- Southwestern University School of Law
Additional information
- Temporarily assigned to the Circuit Court in October 2025 and formally appointed in March 2026, with Senate confirmation in April 2026
- Soong was a Deputy Corporation Counsel on the Big Island, a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney on Kauai, and a Deputy Public Defender on Oahu and Kauai
- Chief judge service: Chief Judge
- Soong has served on the Hawaiʻi Prosecuting Attorneys Association, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and as a board member of the Friends of the Kauaʻi Drug Court
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Extended Coverage Notice
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.
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 ↗
Camera Microphone Placement
Statewide
Hawaii leaves courtroom camera and microphone placement to the judge and cautions that judges may differ on placement rules.
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 ↗
Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked July 26, 2026.
Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster ↗Cameras and Audio Equipment
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Cameras and Audio Equipment ↗Remote Court Hearings via Zoom
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Remote Court Hearings via Zoom ↗