US Supreme Court Decision Continues to Block Hawaiian Election Vote Count

Hawaiʻi flag. Photo by Wendy Osher.

The US Supreme Court today issued a decision to continue a stay on the counting of votes in the Naʻi Aupuni elections for selection of delegates to the Native Hawaiian Constitutional Convention or ʻAha.

Under the decision, the stay is in effect until after a US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals hears the matter.

Na‘i Aupuni, the Native Hawaiian organization made up of a volunteer board of directors, was established with a mission to establish a path toward Native Hawaiian self-determination.

The organization issued a statement today in response to the high court decision saying the following:

“Na‘i Aupuni stands by its commitment to provide a legal process for Native Hawaiians to elect leaders to convene to reorganize a government. We believe the process aligns with the US Constitution and that the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ultimately will let the election process proceed. We will ask the appeals court to expedite the hearing so that votes can be counted and the constitutional convention, or ‘Aha, can proceed this summer.  Native Hawaiian self-governance has been discussed for over 120 years. We encourage voters to cast their ballots before the Dec. 21 deadline. Your vote is the mana to unify us.”