Hawaii Supreme Court
Coverage of Hawaii Supreme Court in the Nexus archive.
- Maui can’t delegate environmental assessment to developers
The Hawaii Supreme Court ruled that Maui County Planning Commission cannot delegate environmental assessment duties to developers, invalidating amended rules for the special management area. The court found the rules conflicted with the Coastal Zone Management Act, requiring county oversight for coastal developments. Maui Tomorrow Foundation, an environmental nonprofit, argued the exemptions undermined state law.
- Liberal circuit judge blasts SCOTUS conservatives, says Hawaii will defy high court
A Hawaii Supreme Court justice criticized the U.S. Supreme Court for weakening constitutional rights and advancing a political agenda, arguing Hawaii's Constitution provides stronger protections. Justice Todd Eddins delivered the critique in a ruling overturning a 1990 conviction due to discredited evidence, comparing the Roberts Court's approach to discredited precedents like Dred Scott and Plessy.
- Liberal circuit judge blasts SCOTUS conservatives, says Hawaii will defy high court
A Hawaii Supreme Court justice criticized the U.S. Supreme Court in a legal opinion, arguing that the Roberts Court has weakened constitutional rights and that Hawaii's Constitution should not follow its interpretations. The case involved overturning a conviction due to discredited evidence, with the justice comparing SCOTUS's approach to past decisions like Dred Scott and Plessy.
- Hawaii Supreme Court grants new trial in Maui man’s 1990 rape conviction
The Hawaii Supreme Court vacated Daniel Granillo's 1990 rape conviction after determining that FBI hair and fiber evidence used in his trial was scientifically unreliable. The court ruled that the flawed forensic analysis violated Granillo's right to a fair trial, granting him a new trial.
- Hawaii Supreme Court overturns guilty verdict for man who admitted to trying to take video of teen in shower
The Hawaii Supreme Court overturned a guilty verdict for a man who admitted attempting to record a girl while she was showering, citing that the violated statute did not apply because he was not inside the bathroom. The ruling highlights a legal technicality regarding the location of the alleged misconduct.
- Maui rewrote coastal development rules, and advocates say it handed developers the keys
Maui County revised coastal development rules to create 15 exemptions allowing developers to bypass permitting processes, prompting a Hawaii Supreme Court case. Environmental advocates argue the changes unlawfully delegate oversight to developers, while the county claims the exemptions align with state law and simplify routine activities.