Former Hawaii Chief Justice Moon Dead At 81

Former Hawaii Chief Justice Ronald Moon passed away Monday evening at age 81.

“The judiciary has lost a legend. Chief Justice Moon was a visionary leader and trailblazer in the legal profession,” said Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald in a press release. “But he never forgot his roots growing up in Wahiawa, and wanted every person to be treated fairly and with respect when they came into our courtrooms.”

Chief Justice Ronald Moon. Courtesy

Recktenwald credited Moon’s court for deciding landmark cases ranging from same sex marriage to protecting native Hawaiian rights and the environment.

As well, under his watch the judiciary started programs which continue to this day including drug court, mental health court, and girls court programs, and a certification program for court interpreters

“He also worked tirelessly to make the judiciary more effective and accessible, and shaped us into the institution we are today,” he added.

Moon served as chief justice for more than 17 years before retiring in 2010. He was the first Korean American to become the chief justice of a state supreme court.

Before that, according to the Hawaii Judiciary, Moon served as a circuit court judge and then an associate justice of the supreme court for a total of 28 years of service on the bench.

In a statement Gov. David Ige said, “What I will remember about Chief Justice Moon however, is his sense of humor and his lighter side, in addition to the very serious work he accomplished. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and former colleagues.”