--- title: "Michael K. Soong | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-k-soong-chief-judge-hawaii-circuit-court-fifth-circuit-hi" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Michael K. Soong Hawaii Circuit Court, Fifth Circuit · Chief Judge ## Profile - Court: Hawaii Circuit Court, Fifth Circuit - State: Hawaii - Role: 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 - 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 ## 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/michael-k-soong-biography) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/michael-k-soong-biography) - [Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/michael-k-soong-biography) - [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/michael-k-soong-biography) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-k-soong-chief-judge-hawaii-circuit-court-fifth-circuit-hi", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-k-soong-chief-judge-hawaii-circuit-court-fifth-circuit-hi", "name": "Michael K. 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