Video by Lynn Beittel, Visionary Video | Voice of Stephanie Salazar

KEALAKEKUA, Hawaii – The courthouse in Kealakekua had to be closed and evacuated on Monday, after people began coughing and complaining of irritated throats and eyes, without any explanation.

Fire crews and a Hazmat unit were dispatched shortly after 9 a.m., and treated the scene as a “possible toxic condition.” Eveyone in the Kea Kea Lani Court House had to be moved into the open yard area. No-one needed further medical assistance.

Attorney Robert Kim, who serves as Vice President of the West Hawaii Bar Association, described the situation.

Robert Kim

“The court was in session when something came out, they dont know where from… Court staff and members of the public began to experience watery eyes and couldnt breathe…. They’re still not sure what it was.”

The Hazmat crew shut off the central air conditioning and vented the courtroom. Air monitoring equipment turned up a negative finding. Court reopened before 11 a.m.

Robert Kim

“We need to be able to protect the public and also the attorneys and the judges. This is a serious incident that occurred at the courthouse and I would hope that an investigation follows to determine exactly how this occurred.”

For Kim, the questions that remain surrounding the entire affair point to the need for a new judiciary facility in Kona.

Robert Kim

“The bottom line is that we need a new judiciary center so that we can monitor and screen people as they come in. I dont want to say that someone brought it in, we’re not sure, but that’s one of the possibilities.”