HRS §604-3
When another judge can step in
If a district judge cannot do their job because of a vacancy, disqualification, illness, absence, or another reason, the chief justice can send a judge from another circuit to handle the cases. That temporary judge has the same powers as the regular judge.
courts
The statute, as written — Disqualification, absence, vacancy
Whenever it is advisable, by reason of a vacancy in the office of district judge of any circuit, or by reason of the disqualification of any district judge, or the district judge's inability to attend to the district judge's duties by reason of illness or temporary absence, or for any other reason, the chief justice of the supreme court may designate the district judge of any other circuit, or any district family judge of any circuit, to hear and determine any and all matters then or thereafter pending in the district court to which the district judge or district family judge is called for such purpose, and while so engaged, the district judge or district family judge shall have and exercise all of the powers of a regularly appointed judge of the circuit to which the district judge or district family judge is called.
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