About

The Honorable Derrick H.M. Chan, Retired
Treasurer

Derrick H.M. Chan is a distinguished jurist with a long and impactful career in Hawaii’s legal system.  He received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Hawaiʻi and his Juris Doctor from California Western School of Law. Over the years, he has held several key legal positions, including serving as First Deputy Prosecutor for the County of Kauaʻi, an attorney for the Hawaii Carpenters Union, a Deputy Public Defender for the State of Hawaii, and a Deputy Attorney General. He also clerked for Judge Wilfred Watanabe, gaining early experience in the judiciary.

In August 2000, Judge Chan was appointed as a Circuit Court Judge of the First Circuit (Oʻahu), where he later became Deputy Chief Judge and Administrative Judge of the Criminal Division, a role he held from January 2005 through July 2009. His leadership and dedication led to his appointment as Chief Judge of the First Circuit on December 31, 2009. Recognized for his service and contributions to Hawaii’s legal system, he was named Hawaii’s Jurist of the Year in 2016.

On April 13, 2017, Governor David Ige appointed Judge Chan as an Associate Judge of the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals, filling the vacancy left by the retirement of Associate Judge Daniel R. Foley. He served on the appellate bench until his retirement in October 2020. Throughout his career, Judge Chan’s extensive experience and commitment to justice have left a lasting impact on Hawaii’s judiciary, reinforcing his legacy as a respected leader in the legal community.