Judiciary cites need for two more judges

By Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

State judiciary officials yesterday asked lawmakers for two new Circuit Court judge positions for Maui and the Big Island.

The judiciary also is seeking an additional $41 million to build a new judiciary complex in Hilo.

During a budget briefing with the Senate Ways and Means and the House Finance committees, Thomas Keller, administrative director of the courts, said the judiciary needs two more circuit judges, one to largely focus on a new family drug court program on Maui and another to support the Big Island drug court.

Each position, including staff, would cost about $328,000 per year and is included in the judiciary's $3.4 million supplemental general fund request. The request is in addition to the $111 million lawmakers financed last year for the second year of a biennium budget.

Keller said the judiciary recognized an initiative in the community to begin a family drug court on Maui, adding that about 75 percent to 80 percent of child abuse and neglect cases involve substance-abuse situations.

He said the new Big Island judge would likely travel to various areas of the island. The Big Island is "pushing to do something to make a big impact on the drug activity there," he said.

The judiciary is also asking for additional money for more counselors, social workers and contracts with private drug-treatment agencies for the Maui and Big Island drug courts.

The judiciary says it needs $41 million to build and equip a new Hilo judiciary complex at the former Kaiko'o Mall site. The judiciary has sought money to build a Hilo judiciary complex for years, as there is no centralized court building. Officials said existing facilities are inadequate.

The judiciary bought the land and began design work for the facility — which has a total estimated cost of about $86.7 million — but the Legislature appropriated less than half of the $62.5 million construction cost in 2002.

"We can't contract with half the money," Keller said after the briefing. "So unless we get that money this year, then we have about $30 million that will lapse."

The judiciary also is asking for an additional $450,000 in construction money to continue improvements to the Alder Street juvenile detention facility.

Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com or at 525-8070.