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title: "Sonya H. Toma | KnowJudges"
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---

# Sonya H. Toma

Hawaii Family Court, Second Circuit · Family Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: Hawaii Family Court, Second Circuit
- State: Hawaii
- Role: Family 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

- District Family Court Judge for the Second Circuit (Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi) in Hawaii, sworn in on May 23, 2025, with a six‐year term ending May 22, 2031
- She has also worked as an attorney at the Maui County Department of Corporation Counsel, the Family Law Division of the Department of the Attorney General on Maui, the Family Law Self-Help Center of the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada, the State Office of the Public Defender on both Maui and Hawaiʻi Island, and in private practice

### Education

- University of Hawaiʻi William S. Richardson School of Law (Education)

### Additional information

- As a District Family Court Judge, her jurisdiction covers family law matters in Maui, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi counties
- She has also been active in community service, including as a Kids First Parent Co‐Facilitator for the Second Circuit Family Court’s Kids First Hawaiʻi program, and volunteer work with the Maui Self‐Help Center and Volunteer Legal Services Hawaiʻi

## 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-sonya-h-toma)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/judge-sonya-h-toma)
- [Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/judge-sonya-h-toma)
- [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-sonya-h-toma)

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