Kona court plan is approved

The long-awaited Kona Judiciary Complex is a step closer to realization with Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s approval of the project’s final environmental impact statement last week.

The statement will now go to state Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald, who will select from one of seven proposed sites for the complex. Groundbreaking is expected early next year.

As state Rep. Denny Coffman noted, court proceedings have been held in three different locations in Kona, none of which "were designed as courthouses." The new complex will consolidate court resources, including the law library, which is housed in the former morgue.

2 byways get scenic titles

Two new routes have been designated as scenic Hawaii byways, and state officials are looking for nominations for others.

Corridors on Hawaii island and Kauai were recently given scenic byway designation, bringing Hawaii’s total to four.

The Big Island route travels along Highway 11 from Manuka State Park in Kona to the eastern end of the island at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. At 54 miles it is the longest stretch of unspoiled natural scenery in the islands.

The state’s most recent byway is on Kauai, where a 19-mile route connects historical and cultural sites in the Koloa-Poipu area.

Nomination applications for other byways are due March 31.