State courts will be closed two Fridays a month beginning in November, Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald Moon said yesterday.

"The decision to furlough employees and close courthouses statewide was a very difficult one for me, but one that had to be made in light of our state's current economic crisis," Moon said in a written statement that included a schedule of the closures.

"I am confident that our judges and employees will do their best to minimize the inconvenience to the public, however, court users should anticipate some delays and changes in services," Moon said.

Most other state agencies began furloughing employees and closing offices yesterday but the closures were delayed for the Judiciary because it operates on a different budget than the executive branch.

Moon issued an order that furlough days will not count against court deadlines.

"For purposes of calculating time, each furlough day (will) be treated as a Saturday or Sunday," he said. "Therefore, as an example, a person who has a document due on a furlough day may file the document on the next business day."

Courthouse customers may be able to use the Judiciary's Web site — www.courts.state.hi.us — to transact some of their business, Moon said.

Some of those transactions include payment of traffic fines or fees, researching case information and obtaining court forms.

The courts will not close on any Friday followed by a Monday holiday, because the law prohibits the courts from being closed for four straight days.

Although courts will be open next Friday, public parking structures which serve the Honolulu Circuit Court will be closed because the employees who operate them will be on furlough.