By TOM CALLIS By TOM CALLIS ADVERTISING Tribune-Herald staff writer The Kona Judiciary Complex has had its proposed home approved, in concept anyway. On Nov. 8, the state Board of Land and Natural Resources granted preliminary approval for building the
By TOM CALLIS
Tribune-Herald staff writer
The Kona Judiciary Complex has had its proposed home approved, in concept anyway.
On Nov. 8, the state Board of Land and Natural Resources granted preliminary approval for building the $90 million facility near the Makalapua Center, mauka of Queen Kaahumanu Highway.
That step sets the state Judiciary on a path to ending its lengthy search for a home for the facility.
Seven sites had been considered, with the preferred location being knocked out of consideration due to the presence of endangered plants.
The location now under consideration is owned by the Queen Liliuokalani Trust.
Courts Administrator Rod Maile said the trust has offered to grant the state 10 acres for a “nominal fee.” That fee, and the legal documents, are still being finalized, he said.
While preliminary, the approval from BLNR is significant, Maile said.
“We got enough commitment on the site now that the design folks can begin on site-specific design work,” he said. “We hope to see the conceptual drawing sometime in early spring.”
When construction would begin remains unclear at this point.
The Judiciary has received $9 million for the project and will request another $81 million next year.
Maile said he is hopeful construction bids would go out by 2015.
The money would have to be spent in about two years.
“The completion part we’ll have to see,” he said. “We’ll definitely be looking at construction lasting two or three years.”
The courthouse would host seven courtrooms.
The Judiciary currently operates four courtrooms spread across three locations in Kona.
At the meeting, BLNR also deferred action on a proposed new lease agreement with the University of Hawaii for Mauna Kea.
The board received several hours of testimony but couldn’t take action because it lacked a quorum, an agency spokeswoman said.
A vote is expected to occur Dec. 8.
Additionally, the board approved the installation of a 2-inch pipe to transfer water from a former sugar plantation spring for agricultural use in Ka‘u.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
