--- title: "Ronald G. Johnson | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ronald-g-johnson-administrative-judge-hawaii-circuit-court-first-circuit-hi" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Ronald G. Johnson Hawaii Circuit Court, First Circuit · Chief Administrative Judge ## Profile - Court: Hawaii Circuit Court, First Circuit - State: Hawaii - Role: Chief Administrative Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Circuit Court Judge in the Oʻahu First Circuit Court of Hawaiʻi, assigned to the Criminal Division, appointed in 2019 by Governor David Ige - Governor David Ige appointed Ronald G. Johnson to a First Circuit Court vacancy on August 28, 2019, subject to Senate confirmation, succeeding retired judge Rom A. Trader - Administrative Judge, Hawaii Circuit Court, First Circuit - Earlier he co-led the U.S. Attorney’s Office Violent Crime and Drug Section and worked in Honolulu’s Department of the Prosecuting Attorney ### Education - BBA from the University of Hawaii College of Business Administration and a JD from the William S. Richardson School of Law. ### Additional information - Judge Johnson’s criminal division assignment involves handling a range of criminal cases, and his prior prosecutorial and federal law enforcement experience informs his judicial work - Johnson held a position as a Transportation Security Administration attorney advisor on human resources, employee and labor relations, discipline, mission support, field operations and civil enforcement, and as ethics advisor for Pacific Rim airports. ## 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_1c) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_1c) - [Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_1c) - [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_1c) - [www.hawaiisenatemajority.com](https://www.hawaiisenatemajority.com/press-release/2019/08/28/governor-ige-appoints-one-to-intermediate-court-of-appeals-and-five-to-first-circuit-cour) - [www.hawaiifreepress.com](https://www.hawaiifreepress.com/Articles-Main/ID/24079/Ige-Announces-Six-Judicial-Appointments) - [www.gotbailhi.com](https://www.gotbailhi.com/blog/2025/june/judge-ronald-johnson-is-dead/) - [data.capitol.hawaii.gov](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/splsession2019a/GM4_TESTIMONY_JDC_09-10-19.pdf) - [legalreportcard.com](https://legalreportcard.com/judge/j-ronald-g-johnson-hi-first-circuit) - [www.hawaii.edu](https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2019/11/14/law-school-alumni-court-judges/) - [www.courts.state.hi.us](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/our-judges) - [www.gotbailhi.com](https://www.gotbailhi.com/blog/2024/december/thanksgiving-in-the-judiciary-judge-johnson-judg/) - [Hawaii State Judiciary judicial profile or roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_1c) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ronald-g-johnson-administrative-judge-hawaii-circuit-court-first-circuit-hi", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ronald-g-johnson-administrative-judge-hawaii-circuit-court-first-circuit-hi", "name": "Ronald G. 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