The South Kohala District Court, which closed Tuesday after an employee tested positive for COVID-19, will reopen on Aug. 18.
The employee who tested positive was asymptomatic, but took a COVID-19 test on Saturday as a precautionary measure unrelated to their work at the courthouse, the Judiciary said. After the positive result came back, all employees at the facility were directed to go home, self-quarantine, and advised to monitor their health.
The facility, located in the Waimea Civic Center complex, was closed and professional cleaned and disinfected, the Judiciary said.
The South Kohala employee is the only confirmed case of any Judiciary employee statewide.
“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience,” said Third Circuit Chief Judge Robert D. Kim. “We’re happy to report that, so far, staff have been receiving negative test results. However, those who make up the core operations team are being advised by the Department of Health to remain at home until August 17, as a precaution.
Family Court cases scheduled for Monday, Wednesday, Aug. 14 and Aug. 17 will be heard as scheduled, but will be moved to the Keahuolu Courthouse in Kailua-Kona. Parties to these cases will be notified about the location change.
All District Court cases scheduled through Aug. 17 will be rescheduled. Parties in these cases will be notified by mail of their new court date.
Anyone needing assistance, should call the Keahuolu Courthouse at (808) 322-8700 or the Hale Kaulike Courthouse in Hilo at (808) 961-7470, or email skohalafc.3cc@courts.hawaii.gov.
On Wednesday, Hawaii Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald issued an order postponing the resumption of jury trials until Oct. 5, “barring further public health or other extraordinary developments that would make doing so imprudent.”
All previous orders remain in effect as do emergency orders issued by circuit court chief judges. Grand jury proceedings resumed July 1.
Recktenwald also issued an order Thursday extending the filing deadline for documents due Monday to Aug. 17 in the South Kohala District Court.