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Judicial Elections
How Judges Are Chosen in Hawaii
Hawaii Supreme Court justices are appointed by the governor from a list drawn up by a nominating commission and confirmed by the State Senate, and must be reappointed to serve another 10-year term.
Rules as of October 15, 2026 · source Ballotpedia
Are judges elected in Hawaii?
- Highest court
- Hawaii Supreme Court — 5 justices
- How chosen
- Commission + appointment
- Voters
- Voters have no direct say
- Term
- 10 years
- To serve again
- Reappointment
- 2026 ballot
- No Hawaii Supreme Court seats in 2026
How Hawaii chooses its judges
Hawaii Supreme Court justices are appointed by the governor from a list drawn up by a nominating commission and confirmed by the State Senate, and must be reappointed to serve another 10-year term.
- Seats: 5 justices on the Hawaii Supreme Court.
- Term: 10 years.
- Confirmation: appointees must be approved by the State Senate.
- To serve again: Reappointment.
- Age rule: Must retire by 70.
- Other courts: The Intermediate Court of Appeals is appointed the same way; circuit and district judges are appointed directly.
A justice is retained for another term by vote of the Judicial Selection Commission, not by voters.
Compare every state on the judicial selection table.
Is the Hawaii Supreme Court on the 2026 ballot?
No — and no other judge is either. Hawaii fills every court by appointment, so judges never appear on the ballot.
Following judicial appointments in Hawaii
With no judicial elections, the public’s say runs through the officials who choose judges: the governor who appoints them and the State Senate, which must approve each appointment. Full details, including how vacancies are filled, are on Ballotpedia’s Hawaii judicial selection page.
For everything else on your ballot, see how to vote in Hawaii.
Federal judges in Hawaii
Federal judges are never on a ballot: the President nominates them and the U.S. Senate confirms them for life. Hawaii’s two senators vote on every nominee and are traditionally consulted on district court nominees from the state.
Hawaii’s senators: Brian Schatz (Democratic) and Mazie Hirono (Democratic).
Confirmed by recorded vote in 2026
No federal judge for a court in Hawaii has been confirmed by roll-call vote in 2026.
District judges for courts in Hawaii and circuit judges from the state. Judges confirmed by voice vote leave no roll call; the Senate’s list of confirmed nominations has them. Roll calls from the snapshot refreshed Oct 1, 2026.
Open federal judgeships
The U.S. Courts list no vacant district judgeship in Hawaii as of October 15, 2026.
Source: uscourts.gov current judicial vacancies. Every vacancy nationwide is on the judicial elections hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are judges elected in Hawaii?
Hawaii Supreme Court justices are appointed by the governor from a list drawn up by a nominating commission and confirmed by the State Senate, and must be reappointed to serve another 10-year term. The Intermediate Court of Appeals is appointed the same way; circuit and district judges are appointed directly.
How long is a term on the Hawaii Supreme Court?
10 years. At the end of a term, they must be reappointed to serve another term. Must retire by 70.
Is the Hawaii Supreme Court on the 2026 ballot?
No. Hawaii voters do not vote on the Hawaii Supreme Court: its justices are appointed, and they must be reappointed to serve another term.
Are any judges on the Hawaii ballot?
No. Hawaii fills every court by appointment, so no judge appears on the ballot.
Who appoints federal judges in Hawaii?
The President nominates and the U.S. Senate confirms them; they serve for life. Hawaii's senators, Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono, vote on every nomination and are traditionally consulted on district court nominees from the state.
Related
Judicial Elections in Every State
How all 50 states choose judges, every 2026 supreme court race, and federal confirmations.
How to Vote in Hawaii
Registration, early voting, mail ballots and poll hours.
Hawaii Senators & Representatives
Your delegation in Congress and when each term ends.
What Can Congress Do?
Can Congress declare war, override a veto, impeach a cabinet member, remove a senator, overrule the Supreme Court, or invoke the 25th Amendment? Question by question, with live vote math.