The Hawai'i court system has slashed its budget by $11.4 million, notifying some vendors and agencies, such as the Domestic Violence Action Center, that their financial support will be reduced by 30 per cent.

That's a $600,000 financial hit for the Domestic Violence Action Center, coming at a time when the agency is bracing for an expected rise in domestic violence cases due to increased economic pressures in Hawai'i households, said Nanci Kreidman, chief executive of the nonprofit agency.

"We've already implemented some layoffs," said Kreidman.

"Just as we've reached a point of some success in addressing the problems of domestic violence here, we're having to dial it back," she said. "We're sort of dismantling some of what we've fought so hard to accomplish."

Judiciary spokeswoman Marsha Kitagawa said the new statewide courts budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 has been cut by $11.43 million.

She could not supply a specific listing of where costs will be cut, but did say the courts will employ 57 fewer workers.

"We are in the process of distributing these (budget) reductions throughout the Judiciary," said Kitagawa in a written statement.

"Each program will have the flexibility to determine how best to absorb its portion of the reductions," she said. "That being said, reductions are likely to occur in such areas as purchase of services contracts, use of per diem judges, expenditures on repair and maintenance and operating supplies, and guardian ad litem costs."

The $11.4 million in cuts apparently do not include additional budget restrictions that Gov. Linda Lingle asked the Judiciary to implement earlier this month when she announced plans to furlough administration branch employees three days a month.

Lingle has no authority to impose furloughs on judicial or legislative branch employees but she asked the courts and legislators to impose furloughs or restrict spending.

"The Judiciary is carefully observing the statements and actions of the various state governmental entities," Kitagawa said.

The courts "will move at the appropriate time to implement the actions deemed to be in the best interest of the Judiciary, as an independent branch of state government," said Kitagawa.

Kreidman said that in recent meetings with Judiciary officials, there has been no word that additional cutbacks are in the works.

Kreidman says she is convinced the economic problems assailing Island residents will make the problem of domestic violence worse.

O'ahu Family Court Judge Michael Broderick said earlier this month he has seen a recent rise in applications for temporary restraining orders.

"I am absolutely convinced our economy is contributing to domestic violence. What I see every day in court tells me that," he said.

"One of the themes I'm hearing from people accused of domestic abuse is that they either lost their job, or they lost their home because they lost their job, or they can't pay the rent, and as a result they lost their temper."

Kreidman's nonprofit and others like it provide a variety of assistance and legal resources to victims of domestic abuse.

Kitagawa said the budget restrictions taking effect next month "will be revisited and re-evaluated continually throughout the year, and adjustments will be made as necessary in light of changing needs and economic conditions."