State Senate confirms new circuit court judge for Kaua‘i

The Hawai’i State Senate voted to confirm Stephanie R.S. Char, Gov. Josh Green’s selection to fill the vacancy in the Fifth Circuit Court of the Fifth Circuit, created by the retirement of Judge Kathleen N.A. Watanabe in August 2025.

“Judge Char demonstrated a strong command of the law, sound judicial temperament, and a deep commitment to public service,” said Senate Judiciary Chair Karl Rhoads. “Her experience on the bench and longstanding service to the people of Kauaʻi make her well prepared to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.”

Char has served as a District Family Court Judge of the Fifth Circuit since 2020 and was temporarily assigned as a Circuit Court Judge to cover the vacancy in the Fifth Circuit, where she heard both civil and criminal cases.

Before joining the bench, she worked in the Office of the Public Defender for 17 years.

A graduate of Kapaʻa High School, Char earned her Bachelor of Arts degrees in communications and philosophy and a Master of Arts degree in philosophy from the University of Denver. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of San Diego School of Law and has been licensed to practice law in Hawaiʻi since 2003.

Char has also been an active member of her community, serving on the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Board of Directors, the Kauaʻi Criminal Defense Bar, and the Kauaʻi Economic Opportunity Advisory Board for the Mediation Program.

With this confirmation, Char will serve a 10-year term on the Circuit Court of the Fifth Circuit.