Bode Uale was the first family court judge appointed in the United States who was of Samoan descent.[1] Uale currently serves as the lead judge of the Honolulu Family Court's Domestic Division.[2]

Bode Uale
Alma materBrigham Young University–Hawaii
University of Hawaii

He was raised in Laie, Hawaii and graduated in 1979 from Brigham Young University–Hawaii with a degree in political science. He later earned a Juris Doctor in 1984 from the University of Hawaiʻi. He worked as a public defender from 1984 to 1989 and practiced private law from 1989 to 1991. He was appointed as a family court judge by Chief Justice Herman Lum in 1991. His current assignment is as Lead Judge of the Domestic Division of the Honolulu Family Court. He is also an advisory board member for the “Imi Ho’ola” Minority Admissions Program for the School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii. He participates in an innovative family drug court program that helps parents put their families back together.[3]

Aside from his position as a judge, Uale served as the president of the Honolulu Hawaii Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[2]

Uale and his wife Beth are the parents of four children, most notably Andria Tupola.[4] Beth was recognized as Hawaii mother of the year in 2004.[5]

Notes

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  1. ^ Moser, Sandra (17 January 2009). "Mayor honors his Samoan heritage". Church News. Retrieved 29 April 2011. President Uale is the first family court judge appointed in the U.S. who is of Samoan ancestry.
  2. ^ a b "BYU Hawaii alumni profile on Uale". BYU Hawaii Alumni. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 29 April 2011.
  3. ^ Midweek, June 8, 2011
  4. ^ "Andria Tupola: 'I'm Going To Take Over This Government'". Honolulu Civil Beat. 2018-10-11. Retrieved 2018-10-12.
  5. ^ Honolulu Star-Bulletin, April 25, 2004