All courts and administrative operations of the Hawaii State Judiciary, with the exception of the Juvenile Detention facility, will be closed while employees are on furlough two days each month, effective November 2009. A calendar of furlough days from November 2009 through June 2010 is posted on the Judiciary’s Internet website at www.courts.state.hi.us.

The Hawaii Supreme Court has ordered that, for purposes of calculating time, each furlough day be treated as a Saturday or Sunday. Therefore, as an example, a person who has a document due on a furlough day may file the document on the next business day.

“The decision to furlough employees and close courthouses statewide was a very difficult one for me, but one that had to be made in light of our state’s current economic crisis,” said Chief Justice Ronald Moon. “I am confident that our judges and employees will do their best to minimize the inconvenience to the public, however, court users should anticipate some delays and changes in services.”

The Judiciary coordinated its furlough schedule with certain agencies, including the Department of Public Safety, as services such as security and transport of persons held in custody by deputy sheriffs are needed for court operations. The Department of Education’s furlough schedule was also considered to accommodate parent-employees.

The Judiciary’s website offers users the option of transacting some types of court business online, thereby eliminating the need to go to a courthouse. Online users may pay fines and fees for traffic infractions, research case information, and obtain court forms.

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Contact: Marsha Kitagawa, Public Affairs Office, 539-4909