---
title: "Paula A. Nakayama | KnowJudges"
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# Paula A. Nakayama

Supreme Court of Hawaii · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Supreme Court of Hawaii
- State: Hawaii
- Role: Judge
- Service status: former
- Last verified: 2026-08-22

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, Hawaii Supreme Court, 1993-present
- Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, City and County of Honolulu Department of the Prosecuting Attorney; from 1979

### Education

- University of California-Davis — B.A.
- University of California College of the Law, San Francisco

### Additional information

- Attorney; later partner, Shim, Tam and Kirimitsu; from 1982
- Joined in 1982 and later became a partner.
- Date of birth: 1953-10-19
- JD — UC Law San Francisco
- Birth place: Honolulu

## 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.courtlistener.com/person/4125/paula-a-nakayama/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4125/paula-a-nakayama/)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4125/paula-a-nakayama/)
- [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)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4125/paula-a-nakayama/)
- [Ben Lowenthal: The Lasting Legacy Of Justice Paula Nakayama - Honolulu Civil Beat](https://civilbeat.org/2023/04/ben-lowenthal-the-lasting-legacy-of-justice-paula-nakayama)
- [Wikidata: Paula A. Nakayama](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7154630)
- [Hawaii Judiciary biography: Associate Justice Paula A. Nakayama](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/courts/supreme/justices/associate_justice_paula_a_nakayama)

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