Taryn R. Tomasa at a glance
- Current role
- Circuit Court Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Hawaii · State
- Judicial service
- Active
- Term and retention
- Current term ends June 3, 2035
Taryn R. Tomasa
Circuit Court Judge · Hawaii Circuit Court, First Circuit
Biography
Professional career
- Circuit Court Judge for the First Circuit in Hawai‘i, sworn in August 2025 for a ten‐year term, with a career rooted in public defense and legal advocacy
- Officially sworn in on August 12, 2025 alongside Judges Karen Nakasone and Karin Holma, in a ceremony led by Hawai‘i Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald
- 2024–2025: District Court Supervisor, then Appellate Section Supervisor again She also had a brief stint in private practice before returning to OPD
- Judge Tomasa most recently served as supervising attorney at the Office of the Public Defender
- Circuit Court Judge, Hawaii Circuit Court, First Circuit
- Circuit Court Judge in the First Circuit (Oʻahu) of the Hawai‘i Circuit Court
Education
- University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s William S
- William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (Law Degree).
Additional information
- Recognized for her zealous advocacy, legal skill, and mentorship of younger attorneys
- Her work has included appearances before district, family, circuit, and appellate courts, as well as the Hawai‘i Paroling Authority and the Legislature.
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.
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 ↗
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 July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked July 26, 2026.
Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 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 ↗