In response to the current status of COVID-19 cases, Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald has issued a first extension of an order postponing jury trials across the state through November 16, 2021.

The order includes jury trials in civil, criminal, and family court proceedings.  All other court proceedings, many of which are conducted remotely by Zoom, will be held as scheduled.

The Judiciary has implemented detailed plans to safeguard the health and safety of jurors, court staff, attorneys, litigants, and all involved since the resumption of jury trials last November. These plans were reviewed by the Hawaii Department of Health and included health screening, temperature checks, reconfigured courtrooms to ensure social distancing, plexiglass barriers, and providing hand sanitizer, masks, and face shields.

In a statement Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald said, “We continue to be concerned about the number of positive cases and hospitalizations being reported in our community.  We need to take these precautions to reduce the number of people congregating in Judiciary facilities to protect court users and our staff.”