HONOLULU -- A new computer system at traffic court is designed to save motorists time and money, but so far has done just the opposite, Island Television News reported Tuesday.

The new software isn't the problem, according to court officials.

Rather, the problem is too few workers with the necessary software training.

"We are going through a difficult time with this transition but we are going to get there," said Rick Keller, the court's administrative director.

Keller admitted that the staff shortage in traffic court can be blamed in part on pay.

Starting pay is under $20,000 a year.

"It's not as much as we'd like to pay. We'd like to improve that," said Keller.

Keller said in the short term, traffic court customers should be prepared to wait.

Hana Aitogi recently waited two hours to pay some old traffic fines.

He then waited another hour for the new computer to call up his records.

"It's a costly event. I mean, you have to take a whole day (off work) and set it aside just for this," said Aitogi.

Court officials are asking customers for their patience.

They said it will all be worth it when the computer and the staff are running at full capacity.

"We want people to have services online instead of having to wait in line," said Judge Corinne Watanabe, who is overseeing the computer project.