--- title: "Wilson A. Unga | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/wilson-a-unga-family-court-judge-hawaii-family-court-first-circuit-hi" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Wilson A. Unga Hawaii Family Court, First Circuit · Family Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Hawaii Family Court, First 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 - Deputy Prosecuting Attorney at the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney, City and County of Honolulu since 2013 - He received an appointment from Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald on April 4, 2025, following nomination by the Judicial Selection Commission, and his term runs until June 4, 2031, subject to Senate confirmation - Nominated by the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald, confirmed by the Senate, and sworn in on August 14, 2025 at Aliʻiōlani Hale in Honolulu - District Family Court Judge for the First Circuit in Hawaii, serving on Oʻahu, appointed in August 2025 after a career in Honolulu’s Prosecuting Attorney’s Office - Hawaii Family Court judge for the First Circuit, appointed in April 2025, with a background in prosecutorial service and community leadership. - The ceremony marked the final official event under Recktenwald’s tenure as Chief Justice - Judge Unga’s career reflects a blend of legal service in the prosecution office, leadership in felony and domestic violence cases, and community engagement ### Education - Bachelor of Science in International Politics from Georgetown University, cum laude; an MBA from the University of Hawaii Shidler College of Business, cum laude; - a JD from the William S. Richardson School of Law. ### Additional information - The Hawaii Senate’s Judiciary Committee report identifies him as a Honolulu deputy prosecuting attorney since 2013 and chief of the Felony Trials Division, following service as Domestic Violence Felony Team Captain. - Wilson A. Unga was nominated for a six-year District Family Court appointment in the First Circuit in 2025. - He is a graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law and was admitted to the Hawaiʻi State Bar in 2012 - He was co-chief of the Asian-Pacific Law and Policy Journal and joined the Hawaii bar in 2012. - Unga’s judicial service follows a long track record in prosecuting serious felony cases, including domestic violence - colleagues and opposing counsel describe him as - His appointment was part of a trio of new family court judges on Oʻahu, alongside Maria F. Penn and Rochelle I. Vidinha - His appointment to the Family Court marks a transition from prosecutorial work to adjudicating sensitive family matters in Hawaiʻi’s justice system - Felony Trials Division Chief - Domestic Violence Felony Team CaptainJudiciary - Mayor’s Exceptional Achievement Award - volunteer youth mentor - prepared, fair, measured, compassionate, and respectful - , qualities they believe are well-suited to family court work - His honors included Shidler Department Merit and Chew Jay scholarships, the John S. Edmunds legal-writing award and an APIL grant. ## 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) - [data.capitol.hawaii.gov](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/commreports/JC30_SSCR2008_.HTM) - [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/wilson-a-unga-family-court-judge-hawaii-family-court-first-circuit-hi", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/wilson-a-unga-family-court-judge-hawaii-family-court-first-circuit-hi", "name": "Wilson A. 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