Federal courts in Hawai'i may soon allow television and still camera coverage of certain proceedings.

The Judicial Conference of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has approved the limited use of cameras in federal courts in the circuit, which includes Hawai'i, according to an announcement yesterday by Chief Judge Alex Kozinski.

The camera coverage will only be allowed in certain civil, nonjury proceedings, the announcement said.

David Madden, spokes-man for the 9th Circuit, said details are still to be worked out, but the chief judge of each federal district will suggest certain proceedings for camera coverage with the 9th Circuit making final decisions on the applications.

Applications from Hawai'i will be submitted by Chief District Judge Susan Mollway, Madden said.

Cameras in federal courts here have been banned under a policy first adopted by the 9th Circuit in 1996.

Two years ago, a resolution was passed by lawyers and judges in the circuit supporting the limited use of cameras in federal courts.