Relevant experience: As a circuit court judge from 2014 to 2024, I was assigned thousands of cases and was the presiding judge in approximately 100 trials, including at least 35 civil trials from 2017-2024.   I gained substantial experience in cases involving business disputes; professional negligence (medical, legal, and real estate); construction defects and liens; claims between condominium associations, their boards, and owners; personal injury and death; environmental law; trustee liability; consumer protection claims; class actions; insurance claims both for coverage and for breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing; attorneys’ fees petitions; and cases with the State of Hawai‘i and the City & County of Honolulu.  I helped settle most of the cases assigned to me from other judges for settlement conferences and helped settle many of my own cases as well.  

From 2017 to 2024, in addition to my regular civil calendar, I was appointed by Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald to serve as the Senior (or lead) Judge for the Environmental Court for the First Circuit.  In 2024, I became Director of the Judiciary’s Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution, and received training and education in advanced mediation techniques and trained others in mediation and settlement conference best practices.  I also helped settle cases in the Judiciary’s Appellate Mediation Program. 

Education and background: I grew up in Hawaii, attended Williams College (Dean’s List, 1973), the University of San Francisco (Highest Honors, 1976) and received my law degree from New York University School of Law (Root-Tilden Scholar, 1979).   I worked in Boston and New York City and returned home to Hawai‘i in 1983.  After working at two highly respected firms in Honolulu, I started my own firm and practiced civil litigation for over 30 years,  published law articles, taught a night class at the William S. Richardson School of Law, served as a panelist at numerous seminars, and was honored to receive several community awards, including  the Honolulu Star Bulletin's annual Editorial Board award for "Ten Who Made A Difference" in Hawai‘i; the  Hawai‘i State Bar Association's "Justice Award," and a Pro Bono Award from Volunteer Legal Services of Hawaii, for “exceptional service to the citizens of Hawai‘i.”

Currently: I retired from the Judiciary effective July 1, 2025.  My current volunteer work includes serving as a Hearings Officer for the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, and as an Arbitrator for the Court-Annexed Arbitration Program.

Personal: I am married, have two grown children, and enjoy exercise and getting outdoors.