---
title: "Shirley M. Kawamura | KnowJudges"
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page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Shirley M. Kawamura

Hawaii Circuit Court, First Circuit · Circuit Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: Hawaii Circuit Court, First 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

- Circuit Court Judge for the Oʻahu First Circuit in Hawaii, specializing in Civil and Environmental cases, appointed in 2015 and serving until 2025
- Sworn in as a Judge of the First Circuit Court on December 17, 2015, appointed by then-Governor David Ige
- She initially held the role of a per diem judge in the Oʻahu First Circuit District and Family Courts before her 2012 appointment to the First Circuit District Court by Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald.
- Began her legal career as a judicial law clerk to Hon

### Education

- Stanford Law School in — J.D. (1997)
- Brown University — B.A.

### Additional information

- In July 2026, Judge Kawamura halted redevelopment of a Ritz-Carlton resort on Oʻahu’s North Shore after finding that prior environmental reviews were outdated and failed to account for the increased presence of the endangered nalo meli maoli (Hawaiian yellow-faced bee).
- Her official biography states that she initially was appointed to the First Circuit District Court on May 29, 2012.
- She later returned to private practice at Kawashima Lorusso LLP before her judicial appointment
- Before becoming a district judge she held the role of a per diem judge in both Oahu District and Family Courts, an associate at Kawashima Lorusso LLP, and a trial deputy at the Office of the Public Defender.
- She is a member of the Hawaiʻi State Bar Association and has served on the Legal Aid Board of Directors

## 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/judge-shirley-m-kawamura)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/judge-shirley-m-kawamura)
- [Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/judge-shirley-m-kawamura)
- [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/judge-shirley-m-kawamura)

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