A bill that includes $55 million to fund construction of the Kona Judiciary Complex on Wednesday passed final reading in the state Senate and House of Representatives. The bill next heads to Gov. David Ige’s desk for consideration.
A bill that includes $55 million to fund construction of the Kona Judiciary Complex on Wednesday passed final reading in the state Senate and House of Representatives. The bill next heads to Gov. David Ige’s desk for consideration.
The judiciary will allow the $90 million complex to move ahead on 10 acres near Makala Boulevard in North Kona. The 2014 state Legislature appropriated $35 million to the project.
Bids on the project are set to open at the end of the year, with groundbreaking in fall 2016 and completion set for spring 2019. The 143,000-square-foot facility will include five courtrooms, holding cells, conference rooms, a self-help center and law library.
Currently, court proceedings are held in three separate locations in Kona, in buildings not designed to serve as courtrooms. The present use of those buildings as courtrooms has created security, logistical, and operational problems.
“The Legislature’s action will enable us to provide the people of West Hawaii with a secure courthouse, where they can access all court services in one convenient location,” said Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald in a prepared statement. “The new courthouse will enable the Judiciary to meet the growing needs of the West Hawaii community.”