Yet another female state judge will take early retirement at the end of this month, bringing the total number of such departures this year to seven.

Family Court Judge Karen M. Radius is the latest to announce she is leaving the bench before her term expires.

Radius has been a full-time judge since 1994 and was named the state Judiciary 's Jurist of the Year in 2007.

In 2004, Radius helped found the First Circuit Girls Court to address the needs of at-risk and delinquent girls.

Her term of office was to expire Dec. 8, 2012.

Other O'ahu Circuit Court judges who have decided to leave the bench this year are Eden Hifo, Colleen Hirai, Karen Blondin and Victoria Marks.

Intermediate Court of Appeals Judge Corinne Watanabe also is stepping down at the end of the year.

Family Court Chief Judge Frances Wong, who also stepped down this year, was honored this week by the Judiciary as the 2009 Jurist of the Year.

Gov. Linda Lingle appoints Circuit and Family Court judges from lists of nominees submitted by the state Judicial Selection Commission.

The appointments are subject to confirmation by the state Senate.