#Hawaiʻi Supreme Court
Maui fire survivors seek Hawaiʻi Supreme Court action to prevent further settlement delays
Maui Fire Survivors have filed a Petition for Writ of Mandamus with the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court seeking immediate action to dismiss ongoing insurance company appeals that they claim are delaying settlement payments to thousands of Maui fire survivors and families.
High court clears path for $4 billion wildfire settlement payments
The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that insurance companies cannot intervene in the $4 billion Maui wildfire settlement, removing a legal hurdle for thousands of survivors awaiting compensation.
Applicants wanted for State Ethics Commission
The Judicial Council is seeking applicants to fill two upcoming vacancies on the Hawaiʻi State Ethics Commission. The terms will run for four years from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2030.
Recktenwald retires as Hawai’i Chief Justice
Today marks the end of Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald’s service on the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court. He is stepping down in accordance with the State of Hawaiʻi’s constitutional requirement that judges and justices retire at the age of 70.
Hawaiʻi Supreme Court leadership transition comes as Chief Justice nears mandatory retirement age
Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Associate Justice Sabrina S. McKenna will become Acting Chief Justice of the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court on Oct. 1, 2025, following the retirement of Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald at the end of September. Recktenwald is stepping down due to the state’s mandatory retirement age of 70 for justices and judges.
Hawaiʻi Supreme Court issues opinion on governor’s use of emergency powers in affordable housing crisis
“More affordable housing is necessary to reduce Hawai‘i’s cost of living,” said Green in a news release. “My administration has been working hard to break down obstacles that can impede affordable housing development. The Supreme Court’s decision is another step forward as we continue this crucial work for the people of Hawaiʻi.”
Community coalition files amicus brief urging Hawaiʻi Supreme Court to reconsider 20-year foreclosure ruling
A coalition of community groups — joined by State Rep. Tina Nakada Grandinetti — today filed an amicus brief asking the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court to reconsider its recent decision, Bank of New York Melon v. White, that changed the statute of limitations for mortgage foreclosures from six years to 20 years. The coalition notes this is years after the underlying loan note is no longer enforceable.
$800 million Maui wildfire settlement closes in on final approval at Legislature
House and Senate conference committees are recommending final passage of House Bill 1001, which provides more than $800 million in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 for deposit into the Maui wildfires settlement fund for a “timely and compassionate resolution” for fire survivors. The bill commits the state to spending $400 million in fiscal 2026 and […]
ACLU urges Hawaiʻi Supreme Court to require police to record interrogations
The ACLU of Hawaiʻi, together with the ACLU State Supreme Court Initiative, filed an amicus brief on April 4, 2025, asking the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court to require that law enforcement record custodial interrogations.
Governor appoints Karen Nakasone as new Chief Judge for Intermediate Court of Appeals
Gov. Josh Green, M.D. announced the appointment of Karen T. Nakasone as the new Chief Judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals (ICA). Nakasone will fill the vacancy left by the elevation of Judge Lisa M. Ginoza to Associate Justice of the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court.
Gov. Green considers judicial nominations
Governor Josh Green, M.D., is reviewing applications for Chief Judge, Intermediate Court of Appeals (ICA) and for the Circuit Court of the First Circuit, for the island of Oʻahu. Public comment on the nominations is welcomed. The ICA vacancy was left by the elevation of Judge Lisa M. Ginoza to Associate Justice of the Hawaiʻi […]
Hawaiʻi Supreme Court hears arguments in historic $4.037B Maui Wildfire Settlement
The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court convened to determine whether or not insurers can interfere with the historic $4.037 billion global settlement for plaintiffs in the Maui Wildfires Cases.
House panel recommends passage of bill to prohibit homeless encampments near schools
The House Committee on Human Services & Homelessness advanced a bill Thursday to prohibit homeless encampments near schools.
Bills introduced to establish Maui Wildfires Settlement Trust Fund
Companion bills in the state House and Senate have been submitted to establish the Maui Wildfires Settlement Trust Fund to pay claims from about 2,200 plaintiffs who’ve filed claims from injuries suffered in the August 2023 disaster.
Applicants sought for independent grand jury counsel
The 2nd Circuit Court (Maui, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi) is seeking applicants for independent grand jury counsel.
Hawaiʻi Supreme Court finds in favor of Cook in challenge of his election to South Maui Council seat
The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court has unanimously ruled in favor of incumbent South Maui Council Member Tom Cook and against an election challenge by opponent and former Council Member Kelly King.
Hawaiʻi’s High Court issues another historic ruling in Maui’s Nā Wai ‘Ehā case
The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court on Thursday issued a landmark decision in the long-running water case over Nā Wai ‘Ehā, “The Four Waters” of Waihe‘e, Waiehu, Wailuku, and Waikapū in central Maui. In a 134-page unanimous opinion authored by Justice Sabrina McKenna, the court ruled in favor of Maui community groups Hui o Nā Wai ‘Ehā and Maui Tomorrow Foundation, who were represented by Earthjustice, and joined by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA).
