---
title: "Thomas A.K. Haia | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-a-k-haia-district-court-judge-hawaii-district-court-first-circuit-hi"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Thomas A.K. Haia

Hawaii District Court, First Circuit · District Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: Hawaii District Court, First Circuit
- State: Hawaii
- Role: District 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

- Appointed by Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald on September 11, 2020, to fill the vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Kevin A. Souza
- District Court Judge, Hawaii District Court, First Circuit
- He previously served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the County of Kauai

### Education

- University of Hawaii William S

### Additional information

- Judge of the Oʻahu First Circuit District Court of Hawaiʻi, appointed in 2020, and is currently seeking retention for an additional term through the Judicial Selection Commission
- Haia previously operated his own law firm and worked in private practice before joining the judiciary
- Oʻahu First Circuit District Court of Hawaiʻi in Honolulu County.
- Before his district court appointment, Haia was a per diem judge of the Oʻahu First Circuit Family Court and practiced law privately.
- The Judicial Selection Commission of Hawaiʻi will decide on his retention.
- He also served in legal roles for the County of Kauai

## 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/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_1c)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_1c)
- [Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_1c)
- [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/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_1c)

## JSON-LD

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@graph": [
    {
      "@type": "WebPage",
      "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-a-k-haia-district-court-judge-hawaii-district-court-first-circuit-hi",
      "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-a-k-haia-district-court-judge-hawaii-district-court-first-circuit-hi",
      "name": "Thomas A.K. Haia | KnowJudges",
      "description": "Thomas A.K. Haia, Hawaii District Court, First Circuit. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.",
      "dateModified": "2026-10-07",
      "isPartOf": {
        "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website"
      },
      "mainEntity": {
        "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-a-k-haia-district-court-judge-hawaii-district-court-first-circuit-hi#judge"
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Person",
      "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-a-k-haia-district-court-judge-hawaii-district-court-first-circuit-hi#judge",
      "name": "Thomas A.K. Haia",
      "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-a-k-haia-district-court-judge-hawaii-district-court-first-circuit-hi",
      "jobTitle": "District Court Judge",
      "worksFor": {
        "@type": "GovernmentOrganization",
        "name": "Hawaii District Court, First Circuit"
      },
      "sameAs": [
        "https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_1c"
      ],
      "alumniOf": [
        {
          "@type": "EducationalOrganization",
          "name": "University of Hawaii William S"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
      "itemListElement": [
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 1,
          "name": "KnowJudges",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 2,
          "name": "Hawaii",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/hawaii"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 3,
          "name": "Thomas A.K. Haia",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-a-k-haia-district-court-judge-hawaii-district-court-first-circuit-hi"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}
```