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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0102.001 2014-2016PlcauNct�. Murashiqe, Laura From: Dawn G West <Dawn.G.West@courts.hawaii.gov> Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2015 9:47 AM To: Council Testimony Cc: Poindexter, Valerie; Onishi, Dennis; Chung, Aaron; Ilagan, Greggor; Danny.Paleka@hawaiicounty.gov; David, Maile; Kanuha, Dru; Eoff, Karen; Wille, Margaret Subject: written testimony in support of County Resolution No. 64 Attachments: 02-17-2015_08-23-05.pdf Dear County Council members, Please find attached written testimony in support of County Resolution No. 64. Thank you for your consideration. Thank you, Dawn West Deputy Chief Court Administrator Third Circuit 79-1020 Haukapila St. Kealakekua, HI 96750 Phone: (808) 322-8714, Fax (808) 322-8701 This message is intended only for the use of the individual to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged or confidential and not disclosable under applicable laws. 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[)ate CA1 8 2015 �•°`_BAR Third Circuit -THE JUDICIARY • STATE OF HAWAII L THIRD DIVISION: 81-940 HALEKH STREET - KEALAKEKUA, HAWAII 96750 -TELEPHONE (808) 443-2210 C j�o HALE KAULIKE: 777 KILAUEA AVENUE • HILO, HAWAII 96720-4212 • TELEPHONE (808) 961-7440 KEAKEALANI BLDG; 79-1020 HAUKAPILA ST. - KEALAKEKUA, HI 96750-1970 -TELEPHONE (808) 322-8750 „>' r LENDER'S DOCUMENT BLDG: 77-6399 NALANI STREET -SUITE 2C - KAILUA-KONA, HAWAII 96740 -TELEPHONE (808)443-2177 WAIMEA CIVIC CENTER AT KAMUELA - 67-5187 KAMAMALU STREET - KAMUELA, HAWAII 96743 -TELEPHONE: (808)443-2030 RONALDIBARRA CHIEF JUDGE CIRCUIT COURT GREG K. NAKAMURA Deputy Chief Judge/Sr. Family Court Judge Glenn S. Hara Elizabeth A. Strance February 17, 2015 LESTER D. OSHIRO CHIEF COURT ADMINISTRATOR DISTRICT & FAMILY COURT BARBARA T. TAKASE Deputy Chief Judge Harry P.N. Freitas Aley K. Auna, Jr. Lloyd X. Van De Car Melvin H. Fujino Henry T. Nakamoto Margaret K. Masunaga TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF HAWAII COUNTY RESOLUTION NO. 64 TO: Honorable Chairman Dru Mamo Kanuha and Members of the Hawaii County Council FROM: Dawn West, Deputy Chief Court Administrator, 3rd Circuit State of Hawaii — Judiciary RE: County Resolution No. 64, Supporting Judiciary's efforts to secure legislative funding for the Kona Judiciary Complex Dear County Council members, The Judiciary, State of Hawaii, respectfully requests your adoption of County Resolution No. 64, supporting the Judiciary in seeking appropriation from the State of Hawaii Legislature for funding of the much needed Kona Judiciary Complex. As you may know, in West Hawaii there are four (4) courts operating out of three (3) different facilities, none of which were originally designed for court use. Two courts (District Court and Circuit Court Division 4) along with support staff, operate out of the Keakealani Building, commonly referred to as the "Old Kona Hospital." The Keakealani Building was constructed in 1939 as a hospital. In the mid- 80s it was renovated for court use after the population and caseloads grew, necessitating the need for something more than the previous temporary locations at the Kealakekua Ranch Center and MacFarlane Building in Captain Cook. The courts at the Keakealani Building are co -located with several offices from the Department of Health and DAGS. The building lacks adequate parking accommodations for the public and employees, as well as ADA stalls. Custodies needing to use toilet facilities are taken to the public restrooms located at the front of the building and are escorted through the hallways and courtyard, alongside members of the public, ranging from infants to elderly. The Family Court, Juvenile Probation and Adult Probation are located in the Lender's Building. The Lender's Building was originally residential, and was renovated for office space, including space for judicial use, but has never been adequate. The courts at the Lender's Building are Honorable Chairman Dru Mamo Kanuha and Members of the Hawaii County Council February 17, 2015 Page 2 co -located with private businesses including a chiropractor's office and massage studio. There is not enough parking for employees and the public and even more concerning is the fact that opposing parties and victims in contested and emotional family court matters have virtually no separation from one another, thereby frequently causing a number of safety and security issues for everyone around. There have been several security -related incidents due to the lack of adequate space and layout. Circuit Court Division 3 and Drug Court are located at the old "AI's Farm and Garden." Again, this is another building that was never originally designed for court use, but the Judiciary handles both criminal and civil cases, jury trials, as well as Drug Court and now Veteran's Court, out of this facility. Similar to Family Court, due to the lack of space and the layout, there is no separation of victims, witnesses, jurors and defendants. The parking is very limited, with only 10 stalls to be shared by patrons and employees. All of the court facilities in West Hawaii are, unfortunately, woefully inadequate despite the best efforts of the Judiciary to make the best of the circumstances. West Hawaii court operations have been and continue to be scattered throughout Kona at facilities never originally designed for court use. In addition to public inconvenience, the disjoined and inadequate facilities have created operational difficulties and increased security risks to court users and staff. Not only are the court users from all different parts of the island, but we also have employees and those who serve as jurors who come from the entire County of Hawaii. Early attempts were made in the 80s and 90s to secure funding for a centralized courthouse in West Hawaii but fell short due to lack of funding and legislative support. The Legislature in its last session provided $35 million towards the $90 million needed for the Kona Judiciary Complex to go out for bid for construction in FY 2016. As the Judiciary's top CIP priority, the funding of the additional $55 million is necessary to complete this project, and is especially critical since the $35 million provided last session will lapse at the end of FY 2016. This new Judiciary Complex is an essential need not only for West Hawaii residents but for the entire Big Island community, as well as the State of Hawaii. By adopting Resolution No. 64, the County Council of Hawaii will be recognizing this critical need and supporting the Judiciary's efforts to secure funding for the much needed Kona Judiciary Complex. Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in support of Hawaii County Resolution No. 64. Respectfully, D wn West Deputy Chief Court Administrator, Third Circuit