--- title: "Peter K. Kubota | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/peter-k-kubota-circuit-court-judge-hawaii-circuit-court-third-circuit-hi" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Peter K. Kubota Hawaii Circuit Court, Third Circuit · Circuit Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Hawaii Circuit Court, Third Circuit - State: Hawaii - Role: Circuit Court Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Before becoming a circuit court judge, Kubota held the role of a per diem judge for both the District and Family Courts in the Third Circuit since 2019. - Sworn in as a Third Circuit Court judge on May 15, 2020 - The 2020 oath was Hawaii’s first judicial swearing-in conducted by videoconference, with Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald in Honolulu and Kubota at Hale Kaulike in Hilo - Since his appointment, Judge Kubota has presided over several civil cases in Hawaii County, demonstrating his active role in the judiciary - His Hilo solo practice focused on estate planning, real property advice and litigation, and business law - His father, Ernest H. Kubota, also held the role of a Third Circuit judge ### Education - Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of Hawaii, William S. Richardson School of Law, earned in 1989 ### Additional information - Peter K. Kubota was appointed to the Third Circuit Court of Hawaii by Governor David Ige on March 13, 2020, and confirmed by the Hawaii State Senate on April 12, 2020. - He graduated from the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law and was admitted to the Hawaii bar in 1989. - Before his appointment, he practiced law in Hilo, specializing in estate planning, real property, and business law - His swearing-in ceremony was notable for being conducted via videoconference, a first in Hawaii's history, allowing public participation during the COVID-19 pandemic ## 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_3c) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_3c) - [Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_3c) - [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_3c) - [www.courts.state.hi.us](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/news_and_reports/2020/05/peter-k-kubota-sworn-in-as-new-circuit-court-judge-of-the-third-circuit) - [www.hawaiifreepress.com](https://www.hawaiifreepress.com/Articles-Main/ID/25584/Peter-K-Kubota-Sworn-In-as-New-Circuit-Court-Judge-of-the-Third-Circuit) - [bigislandnow.com](https://bigislandnow.com/2020/05/19/kubota-sworn-in-as-third-circuit-court-judge/) - [www.hawaiifreepress.com](https://www.hawaiifreepress.com/Articles-Main/ID/25342/Senate-Confirms-Judicial-Nominee-Without-Meeting) - [legalreportcard.com](https://legalreportcard.com/judge/j-peter-k-kubota-hi-third-circuit) - [www.hawaiisenatemajority.com](https://www.hawaiisenatemajority.com/press-release/peter-k-kubota-confirmed-as-third-circuit-judge-after-senate-review) - [www.bigislandvideonews.com](https://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2020/05/18/peter-kubota-sworn-in-as-new-circuit-court-judge-for-hawaii-island/) - [Hawaii State Judiciary judicial profile or roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_3c) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/peter-k-kubota-circuit-court-judge-hawaii-circuit-court-third-circuit-hi", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/peter-k-kubota-circuit-court-judge-hawaii-circuit-court-third-circuit-hi", "name": "Peter K. 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