Hawaii Supreme Court Rules on Kahoohalahala Residency

The Hawaii Supreme Court issued an opinion today that Maui County Councilmember Sol Kahoohalahala is without merit in a challenge over his residency in the 2008 election.

Sol Kahoohalahala being interviewed for television coverage of the September 2008 Primary Election. Photo by Wendy Osher.

The case began when Lanai resident Micahel Dupree and 11 other registered voters from Lanai sent letters to the county clerk alleging that Kahoohalahala was not a resident of the island, and therefore ineligible as a candidate representing Lanai.

The Board of Registration ruled in their favor on November 1, 2008, concluding that Kahoohalahala was a resident of Lahaina, Maui instead.

Today, the State Supreme Court issued a 66 page ruling, affirming the board’s November 2008 decision.

The document said the board did not err in concluding that Kahoohalahala did not have the right to remain a registered voter of Lanai, and did not exceed its jurisdiction by addressing issues beyond voter registration status.

(Posted by Wendy Osher)