On Friday May 29th, 2026 – First Circuit Court Judge James Ashford ruled in Acasio V House of Representatives that the Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives violated the Hawaiʻi Constitution when the House Advisory Committee on Rules met in secret and made decisions.

This is precedent setting and the first time in history the constitutional provision requiring House and Senate Committees to conduct their decision making in public has been tested in court.

It’s a critically important win, and a clear reminder of the importance of an independent judiciary, a third branch of government willing to hold the legislative and executive branch accountable.

Article 3 Section 12, of the Hawaiʻi State Constitution provides that “[e]very meeting of a committee . . . held for the purpose of making decision on matters referred to the committees shall be open to the public.” 

The 8 citizen plaintiffs: Former state Sen. Laura Acasio, Kaʻapunialiʻiona Lanikiʻekiʻe Kanaloa Aiwohi, Sergio Josephus Alcubilla III, Tanya Aynessazian, Douglas L. Cobeen, Karen K. Cobeen, Michaela Ilikeamoana Ikeuchi, and Robert Hale Pahia – deserve a huge MAHALO from all of us.

Mahalo plenty as well to the amazing legal team of attorneys Bianca Isaki and Lance Collins. They took on this case well over a year ago, and have donated hundreds of hours of research and legal consultation.

On May 29th they presented arguments to the court that were succinct, articulate, and on point.

Judge Ashford listened intently to both sides, asked relevant questions, and then announced his decision two days later.

None of this would have been possible without the help of hundreds of regular people who showed up to help pay via the GoFundMe account, for the unavoidable basic legal expenses incurred over the past 18 months.

Yes. We, collectively, our local democracy won, and won big.

It’s hard to refrain from screaming out loud, doing major fist bumps into the sky, and going into happy dance mode on top the nearest table.

I remember clearly when this issue first came to a breaking point. It was January 17th, 2025. The passing of the House Rules was on the House agenda for floor discussion and vote.

Representative Kim Coco Iwamoto was the only Representative out of all 51 members who voted No and cited the lack of public participation in the process.

I watched the entire sad spectacle live from my home and kept waiting for other Representatives to raise their hands, and join Rep. Iwamoto in voting No.

But no one did. Most just sat in silence. Some fumbled through words obviously attempting to appease both House Leadership and those citizens hoping for genuine rules reform and a transparent process.

It’s not easy being the only No vote. Please reach out and let Rep. Kim Coco Iwamoto know how thankful we are that she’s there, and willing to stand up for transparency, citizen involvement, and following the constitution. repiwamoto@capitol.hawaii.gov

What happens next?

Will House Speaker and Kaua’i Representative Nadine Nakamura offer an apology to the 8 citizen plaintiffs, acknowledge the validity of Judge Ashford’s decision, and suggest the House reimburse the plaintiffs legal expenses?

Will she instruct House members to follow the constitution and only conduct committee decision-making discussions during a public meeting, that has been properly “noticed”?

Or will she attempt to dismiss Judge Ashford’s ruling, assert the legislative branch doesn’t have to follow the courts direction, and appeal the ruling to the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court?

Will she attempt to “run out the clock”, delay actions that require committee members to make decisions in public, and drive up the future and ongoing legal bills for the plaintiffs?

The answer: She will take whatever action a majority of House Members decide is appropriate and necessary.

Which means that citizens who care about this issue must call and email their District Representative and demand that they do the right thing – Apologize to the plaintiffs, reimburse their legal expenses, and follow the judges ruling by ensuring ALL Committees conduct decision-making in PUBLIC.

If a majority of House Representatives (26 members) demand that Speaker Nakamura and House Leadership take these actions – then it will happen.

If not, the full-throated fight for transparency, open government, and full public participation, will continue into the coming election season AND inevitably into the 2027 legislative session.

You can be sure every single committee of the House and Senate will be under close scrutiny in the future to ensure the constitution is followed.

Please join me in making it so.

Call and email YOUR District Representative TODAY and ask them to do the right thing. Keep all communication polite and professional please. AND please help with the GoFundMe campaign which is still about $5,000 short of meeting its goal.These funds are needed to pay legal expenses leading up to this court decision and big win for the community. None of the funds raised go directly to the Plaintiffs.