Concerned Citizens For Good Governance – Press Release 02/01/25
HONOLULU, HAWAI’I – Concerned citizens from across the state have filed a lawsuit regarding the state House of Representatives’ practice of making committee decisions behind closed doors in violation of the state constitution.
Citizen advocates and plaintiffs include Laura Acasio, Ka‘apuniali‘ionālanikiʻekiʻe Kanaloa Aiwohi, Sergio J. Alcubilla III, Tanya Aynessazian, Douglas L. Cobeen, Karen K. Cobeen, Michaela Ilikeamoana Ikeuchi, and Robert Hale Pahia.
The legal filings point specifically to the “House Advisory Committee on Rules and Procedure” that made decisions and recommendations, suggesting changes to House rules in January of 2025, without public notice or public meetings.
The plaintiffs’ legal complaint states that according to the Hawaii constitution, legislative committees may not make decisions in closed meetings, nor during recesses from otherwise open meetings.
Attorneys Lance D. Collins and Bianca Isaki represent the concerned citizens. Collins stated, “Despite the public meeting mandate being in the constitution since 1978, the House created a committee and made decisions out of public view and deprived the public of their right to know.”
Plaintiff and former State Senator, Laura Acasio said, “This is about honoring and embracing public participation in the legislative process, and about compliance with the law. No-one is above the law and certainly legislators and the legislature itself, must lead by example and follow the constitution.”
Article III of the State Constitution states in part, “Every meeting of a committee in either house or of a committee comprised of a member or members of both houses held for the purpose of making decision on matters referred to the committee shall be open to the public.”
The complaint is now pending before the First Circuit court.
GaryHooser's Blog 
Every year, worse than before. Public testimony… meaningless. They passed CBDC two sessions ago, which Trump just killed. That bill passed with 707 opposed and zero in favor. Last year Digital ID was deferred yet HDOT rolled it out anyway! Hawaii has no public ballot initiatives. They just stopped using the ever popular Gut and Replace, ruled unconstitutional several years ago. Each session sees “The Blob” of 5000 plus measures introduced.
which Legislators are being sued? I didn’t see it in the article.
Thank you Joy for the note. The law suit is against the entire House of Representatives. House Leadership will be the ones that respond to the suit, utilizing the state attorneys…and hopefully also keeping all members of the House informed.