Court Briefs

• Jurisdiction: Hawaii,United States
• Citation: Vol. 18 No. 06
• Publication year: 2014
• Year: 2014

COURT BRIEFS

Judiciary Grateful for Kona Complex Support

The recommended Judiciary budget was submitted to the full legislature and passed final reading through the House and Senate unanimously in early May. Included in the budget bill was $26 million in new monies dedicated to the Kona Judiciary Complex project, bringing the total to $35 million for the construction of the new courthouse. The budget bill will be heading to the Governor's office for final signature.

"We appreciate the support of the conference committee for this vitally important project," said Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald. "This courthouse will ensure that the judiciary can fulfill its mission of providing justice for the West Hawaii community in a secure and efficient venue."

Administrative Director of the Courts Rodney Maile expressed appreciation for the strong support of Big Island legislators, as well as the leadership of Senators David Ige, Clayton Hee, and Michelle Kidani and Representatives Sylvia Luke, Karl Rhoads, and Kyle Yamashita.

Maile also expressed appreciation for the strong support of Mayor William Kenoi, the West Hawaii Bar Association, particularly President Robert Kim and Carol Kitaoka, as well as the Hawaii County Bar Association, the Hawaii State Bar Association, the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, Prosecuting Attorney Mitchell Roth, and Corporation Counsel Lincoln Ashida.

A total of $44 million will have been set aside for construction of the courthouse and for other judiciary capital improvement projects. The total expected construction cost of the Kona Judiciary Complex is $90 million. The judiciary will seek the...