Blaine J. Kobayashi was sworn in as Judge of the District Court of the Second Circuit on October 12, 2010.  Prior to his appointment to the bench, he was a partner with the law firm of Carlsmith Ball on Maui since 2003, and represented individual and corporate clients in various legal matters involving land use, litigation, and administrative law.  He previously served as a deputy corporation counsel on Maui, as well as deputy county attorney and deputy prosecuting attorney on Kauaʻi.  He received his law degree from the University of Oregon Law School in 1991.

Judge Kobayashi’s volunteer work includes serving as past president of the Maui County Bar Association, past president of the Waiheʻe Elementary School PTA, Board Member of the Iao Intermediate School’s Community Council, Board Member of the Iao Intermediate School Renaissance Board, Board of Directors of Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc., and coach of a community basketball league team.