Hawai‘i Judiciary Postpones Trials Until End of May

Hawaiʻi Judiciary building, Hoapili Hale in Wailuku, Maui. PC: Wendy Osher.

Trials in civil, criminal, and family courts in Hawaiʻi will be postponed to a date after May 29, 2020 or after the termination of Gov. David Ige’s state of emergency, whichever is sooner.

The order was issued by Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald, who noted that the order remains in effect unless otherwise ordered by the chief judge of the respective circuit.

He also ordered the formation of the Committee on Operational Solutions, a group formed to accelerate the courts’ capabilities to conduct court proceedings remotely as appropriate in light of the COVID-19 crisis, and plan for the safe and timely transition to increased court operations over the coming months.

The committee will be chaired by Chief Justice Recktenwald and First Circuit Judge Paul B.K. Wong and will include representatives from all four judicial circuits. Additionally, Hawaiʻi State Bar Association President P. Gregory Frey will serve as the representative of the bar. The Judiciary has also been in communication with the United States District Court for the District of Hawaiʻi and the office of US Senator Brian Schatz regarding the work of the new committee.

“While our community has responded well to stay-at-home orders and the results of these public health measures have been encouraging, the Judiciary must continue to do our part to protect the health and safety of our court personnel and court users,” said Chief Justice Recktenwald.

“However, we recognize the importance of addressing as many cases as possible, either by teleconferencing or videoconferencing, as appropriate. We formed the Committee on Operational Solutions in order to devote resources to significantly increasing the Judiciary’s technological capabilities in a swift and systematic fashion,” said Chief Justice Recktenwald.

“As we look to restarting full Judiciary operations, I anticipate we will conduct the business of the courts in ways that respond appropriately to the new normal, while in accordance with the law. The committee will also address the operational challenges posed by a return to fuller operations in light of COVID-19 and plan for that transition, and particularly, the challenges posed by conducting jury trials.”