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title: "Trish K. Morikawa | KnowJudges"
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page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Trish K. Morikawa

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

- 2019–present: Judge, Oʻahu First Circuit Court of Hawaiʻi
- Judge on the Oʻahu First Circuit Court of Hawaiʻi, appointed in 2019 to replace Judge Colette Y. Garibaldi, with a term running through 2029
- The University of Hawaii’s November 14, 2019 report confirms her subsequent swearing-in as a First Circuit Court judge in Honolulu, following her District Court service
- 2017–2019: Judge, Oʻahu First Circuit District Court
- Sworn in as a First Circuit District Court judge on May 3, 2017

### Education


### Additional information

- In 2021, she received the Outstanding Judicial Achievement Award from the Hawaiʻi Women Lawyers
- Appointed by former Governor David Ige on August 28, 2019 to fill the vacancy created by Garibaldi’s retirement.
- She graduated from the William S. Richardson School of Law and was admitted to the Hawaii bar in 1995.
- Per diem judge: District and Family Courts, First Circuit
- She has held assignments in the Criminal Division and Women’s Court, where she helped establish the latter
- Her prior legal work included deputy prosecuting attorney, deputy attorney general and associate at Gallagher, Kane & Amai, as well as per diem District and Family Court service.

## 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-trish-k-morikawa)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/judge-trish-k-morikawa)
- [Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/judge-trish-k-morikawa)
- [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-trish-k-morikawa)
- [www.hawaii.edu](https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2019/11/14/law-school-alumni-court-judges/)
- [Hawaii State Judiciary judicial profile or roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/judge-trish-k-morikawa)

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