HONOLULU — First Circuit Chief Judge R. Mark Browning (ret.) and First Circuit Judge Trish K. Morikawa have been honored by the Hawaiʻi Women Lawyers (HWL). The recognition took place on April 25 at the Hoʻokupu Center.
Judge Browning was bestowed with the Distinguished Service Award, acknowledging his 28 years of exceptional service to the Judiciary and the community. His judicial career began in 1997 as a District Court Judge before he was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2010. During his tenure, Judge Browning served as Deputy Chief Judge and Senior Judge of the Family Court for six years, before being appointed Chief Judge in 2017.
Judge Morikawa was recognized with the Outstanding Judicial Achievement Award for her leadership in establishing a program dedicated to women in the criminal justice system. She played an instrumental role in launching Women’s Court (Mohala Wahine), starting from scratch and welcoming its first participants within less than a year.
In addition to Judges Browning and Morikawa, HWL also honored Patricia Mau-Shimizu posthumously with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Rochelle Vidinha received the Outstanding Women Lawyer Award, while Robin Wurtzel was presented with the Presidentʻs Award.