CORRECTION: A previous version of this story reported incorrectly that all trials would be postponed until after Sept. 14. That applies only to Oahu district courts and isn’t applicable to Big Island courtrooms. The Tribune-Herald regrets the error.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story reported incorrectly that all trials would be postponed until after Sept. 14. That applies only to Oahu district courts and isn’t applicable to Big Island courtrooms. The Tribune-Herald regrets the error.
Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald issued an order Tuesday prohibiting anyone who traveled in the past 14 days from entering any Big Island courthouses.
This restriction was added in response to Gov. David Ige’s reinstatement of quarantines related to interisland travel.
The South Kohala District Court in Waimea, which has been closed since Aug. 4 because of an employee testing positive for COVID-19, will reopen Aug. 18.
Family Court cases scheduled to be heard in Waimea between now and then will be heard as scheduled, but will be moved to the Keahuolu Courthouse Courtroom 2B in Kona.
Parties to these cases will be notified about the location change.
All District Court cases scheduled for Aug. 4-17 will be rescheduled. Parties in these cases will be notified by mail about their new court date.
“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience,” said 3rd Circuit Chief Judge Robert D. Kim. “We’re happy to report that, so far, staff have been receiving negative test results. However, those who make up the core operations team are being advised by the Department of Health to remain at home until Aug. 17, as a precaution.
“We appreciate the community’s patience and understanding as we ensure that we can safely reopen the courthouse on Aug. 18.”
Anyone needing assistance can call the Kona courthouse at 322-8700 or the Hilo courthouse at 961-7470 or email skohalafc.3cc@courts.hawaii.gov.
As a result of the closure, the chief justice issued an order extending the filing deadline for documents due between Aug. 10 and 17 in the South Kohala District Court. Those documents will now be considered on time if filed by Aug. 18.
