[4] The newspaper The Polynesian commented that this building was inadequate for the court, being "intolerably stuffy" and having conditions that made it difficult to find people willing to serve as jurors.

[4] On May 20, 1850, a committee of privy councilors tasked with examining the issue recommended the construction of a new building that included both a courthouse and a new jail.

In October 1851, a group of about forty prisoners working on the project overpowered the guards who were supervising them, took possession of gun batteries overlooking the city, and attempted to open fire on nearby buildings.

On April 14, 1852, the Minister of the Interior reported to the legislature that although the courthouse was "nearly completed," the project was facing a delay due to the "miserable quality of the laborers employed, who have been, principally, the prisoners.

[9] In a review of the kingdom's financial records, historian Richard Greer estimated that the cost of the courthouse was $34,229.50, which he described as a "very considerable sum for that time, and one which apparently justified the minister of the interior's strictures.

May this Hall ever be the temple of Justice—may its walls ever echo with the accents of truth—may its high roof ever look down upon us in the faithful discharge of our duties—and may the blessing of Him who builded the Heavens and whose throne is the fountain of all justice ever rest upon us.As completed, the courthouse was two stories tall, with dimensions of 56 feet (17 m) by 75 feet (23 m), with a one-story classical-style portico at the building's entrance.

[15] The hall in which the legislature met included a throne, overlain with an ʻahu ʻula, from which the king would open each legislative session.

[16] In addition to these government functions, the building also served as a gathering space for a variety of private and community activities, including meetings, concerts, plain and fancy dress balls, and church services.

[26] As the amount of money being spent on rent increased, the Privy Council began to again discuss the construction of a new government building to consolidate the kingdom's offices.

The legislature moved out of the Honolulu Courthouse and into Aliʻiōlani Hale on April 30, 1874, and the Supreme Court followed on May 27 of the same year.

In March 1968, the State of Hawaii's Historic Buildings Task Force proposed that Amfac swap the 25,000 square foot parcel on which the courthouse stood with an adjacent 21,000 square foot parcel, which was owned by the City and County of Honolulu and used as a park.

However, Amfac stated that it had previously considered such a land swap and decided not to pursue it because it would "destroy the effectiveness of the Fort Street Mall.

"[34] In addition to the proposal from the task force, the state government also studied the feasibility of moving the Old Courthouse building to the Honolulu Civic Center.

[39] Amfac also preserved stone blocks that made up the sidewalk adjacent to the courthouse, which had been constructed from ballast brought to Hawaii on sailing ships.