City traffic bureau scaling
back evening hours

The state Judiciary is cutting back its evening hours at the Honolulu Traffic Violations Bureau to one day a week, from the current five days.

Beginning Monday, the Traffic Violations Bureau on the second floor of Honolulu District Court at 1111 Alakea St. will be open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Customers have been able to process their traffic citations, make payments or obtain copies of their driving abstract during evening hours since the late 1980s. Court officials extended the hours to accommodate those unable to come during business hours.

"The number of users who go to the Traffic Violations Bureau during evening hours has dropped significantly over the years, and we like to think it's because of the online traffic payment system and interactive voice-response system," said Marsha Kitagawa, Judiciary spokeswoman.

Customers can now make payments online at the Judiciary Web site at www.courts. state.hi.us or by phone using the interactive voice-response system at 800-423-3841.

The reduced public service hours will enable the night shift employees to focus on other duties, Kitagawa said.