Ronette M. Kawakami at a glance
- Current role
- Per Diem Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Hawaii · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Ronette M. Kawakami
Per Diem Judge · Hawaii District and District Family Courts, First Circuit
Biography
Professional career
- A former clerk to Marie N. Mills, she worked 26 years at the State Office of the Public Defender before joining law school administration in 2013 as Associate Dean of Student Services.
- She also co-taught the law school’s Defense Clinic (2000–2012) and was recognized as Adjunct Professor of the Year in 2003 and 2010
- Serving as legislative liaison (1997–2004) on criminal defense and justice system issues
- As senior deputy public defender she handled about 100 felony jury trials and six Hawaii Supreme Court oral arguments, supervised appellate and felony-trial divisions and 35 attorneys, and held the role of legislative liaison from 1997 to 2004.
- Per diem judge for the O’ahu First Circuit District Court of Hawai’i, with a distinguished career in public defense, legal education, and judicial service
Education
- JD from the William S. Richardson School of Law in 1985, after graduating from Leilehua High School in 1977
- BA in English from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 1982
Additional information
- She held the role of HSBA director and secretary from 2000 to 2013, participated in the Supreme Court Committee on Equality and Access to the Courts, raised three children, played in the Ete Bowl, volunteered at St.
- Current per diem judge serving in the District and/or District Family courts in Hawaii's First Circuit.
- Listed among the current per diem judges for the First Judicial Circuit
- Per diem judge in the O’ahu First Circuit District Court of Hawai’i, presiding over cases in the District and/or District Family Courts.
- Before joining the bench, Kawakami spent 26 years with the Hawai’i Office of the Public Defender, where she was a Senior Deputy Public Defender.
- She has been active in the Hawai’i State Bar Association, the American Judicature Society Hawaii Chapter, and various judicial and community initiatives University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law
- Elizabeth’s breakfast program and coached youth basketball.
- Her university biography also records work picking pineapple for Del Monte and assisting an English program for underprivileged incoming UH students.
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.
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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 August 9, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 9, 2026.
Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 9, 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 ↗Hawaii State Judiciary judicial profile or roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 9, 2026
View Hawaii State Judiciary judicial profile or roster ↗legalreportcard.com
Biography source · HTML · Source checked October 5, 2026
View legalreportcard.com ↗archives.law.hawaii.edu
Biography source · HTML · Source checked October 5, 2026
View archives.law.hawaii.edu ↗www.courts.state.hi.us
Biography source · HTML · Source checked October 5, 2026
View www.courts.state.hi.us ↗