--- title: "Ronette M. Kawakami | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ronette-m-kawakami-per-diem-judge-hawaii-first-circuit-hi" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Ronette M. Kawakami Hawaii District and District Family Courts, First Circuit · Per Diem Judge ## Profile - Court: Hawaii District and District Family Courts, First Circuit - State: Hawaii - Role: Per Diem Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-08-09 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## 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. ## 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/courts/district/first_circuit) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/courts/district/first_circuit) - [Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/courts/district/first_circuit) - [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/courts/district/first_circuit) - [law.hawaii.edu](https://law.hawaii.edu/people/ronette-m-kawakami-85/) - [www.linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronette-kawakami-b1553768) - [legalreportcard.com](https://legalreportcard.com/judge/j-ronette-m-kawakami-hi-first-circuit) - [law.hawaii.edu](https://law.hawaii.edu/people-role/lecturers-in-law/page/10/) - [archives.law.hawaii.edu](https://archives.law.hawaii.edu/exhibits/show/a-curriculum-history-of-the-wi/item/30399) - [www.courts.state.hi.us](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_1c) - [people.equilar.com](https://people.equilar.com/bio/person/ronette-kawakami-hawaii-state-bar-association/50391535) - [www.zoominfo.com](https://www.zoominfo.com/p/Ronette-Kawakami/17582797) - [Hawaii State Judiciary judicial profile or roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/courts/district/first_circuit) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ronette-m-kawakami-per-diem-judge-hawaii-first-circuit-hi", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ronette-m-kawakami-per-diem-judge-hawaii-first-circuit-hi", "name": "Ronette M. 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