Hawai‘i governor selects new Kaua‘i Circuit Court judge

Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green has appointed Stephanie R.S. Char to be Circuit Court judge for the Fifth Circuit on Kaua‘i.

Char fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Kathleen N. A. Watanabe, who retired in August 2025. Char’s appointment is subject to confirmation by the Hawaiʻi State Senate.

“Kauaʻi deserves a judge who knows the island, understands the law and brings balance, fairness and integrity to every case,” Green said. “Judge Char has dedicated her career to public service and to the people of Kauaʻi. Her experience on the bench and in the courtroom makes her exceptionally well prepared to serve the Fifth Circuit.”

Char currently serves as a district family court judge for the 5th Circuit, where she presides over a wide range of civil, criminal and family court matters. She was appointed to the District/Family Court bench in 2020 and confirmed by the Senate, according to a news release from the governor’s office. Most recently, she was temporarily assigned to cover the circuit court caseload of Watanabe following the judge’s retirement, while continuing her responsibilities as a District/Family Court Judge.

A graduate of Kapaʻa High School, Char earned her bachelor’s degrees in communication and philosophy from the University of Denver and later completed a master’s degree in philosophy at the same institution. She received her juris doctor from the University of San Diego School of Law and was admitted to the Hawaiʻi Bar in 2003.

Before her judicial service, Char served as a deputy public defender on Oʻahu and Kauaʻi and later as supervising deputy public defender for the Kauaʻi office.

“I am humbly honored by this appointment and grateful for the trust placed in me,” Char said. “I take this responsibility seriously and am committed to administering justice fairly, thoughtfully and with respect for the rule of law and the people of Kauaʻi who rely on our courts. I will work every day to ensure the judiciary remains a place of fairness, consistency and public confidence.”

Char now awaits Senate confirmation.