On August 12, 2025, Alaska Marine Lines, which operates barge services to Hawaii and Alaska, announced that it will no longer ship electric vehicles (EVs) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) on its vessels. The prohibition on EVs and PHEVs
Transformative change meets budget realities—a central lawmaking tension plays out in two new reports
Every year in Hawaiʻi, two parallel storylines unfold at the state capitol. One is a story of ambitious policy goals. Community needs are identified, solutions are proposed and hard-fought legislative victories are won. The other is a story of fiscal
Police have to let you know that you’re free to go (so long as you actually are free to go).
State v. Spies (HSC September 16, 2025). Jonathan Spies was stopped by the police as he stepped out of
his truck in the Foodland parking lot in Waimea on the Big Island. Sierra
Valderrama was in the passenger seat.
Restriction In Gov't-Granted Deed Limiting Uses To "Church purposes" Can't Be Enforced
Here’s a case that isn’t about takings and our usual fare, but is nonetheless an example of how dirt law can be fascinating.
In Hilo Bay Marina, LLC v. State of Hawaii, No. SCAP-23-0000310 (Sep. 12, 2025), the Hawaii
Hawaii Supreme Court Interprets State Constitution’s Establishment Clause
In Hilo Bay Marina, LLC v. State of Hawai’i, (HI Sup. Ct., Sept. 12, 2025), the Hawaii Supreme Court held that the Hawaii state constitution’s Establishment Clause invalidates a provision in a 1922 land grant from the Territory of
HSC continues to clarify when the State has to include statutory definitions in the charging document.
State v. Kaakimaka (HSC August 28, 2025). The prosecution charged Koa Kaakimaka with invasion of privacy
in the first degree in violation of HRS § 711-1110.9(1)(a). A person commits
that offense when:
[T]he person intentionally or knowingly
installs
HSC cuts the bill for an expert, upholds consecutive sentence on remand because it is not “more severe” than original sentence.
State v. Lavoie (HSC August 13, 2025). Marlin Lavoie was charged, tried, and convicted of murder and
firearms-related offenses. The circuit court (Hon. Judge Joseph E. Cardoza) sentenced
him to life with the possibility of parole and the firearms
Hawai’i Supreme Court Applies Pollution Exclusion in CGL Case Involving Climate Change
Hawai’i is generally an unfavorable jurisdiction for insurers given its “legal uncertainty rule,” under which there is a duty to defend if a determinative issue is nationally disputed and not yet decided in Hawai’i. However, as the Hawai’i Supreme Court
Big Island Bribery
The Hawai'i Supreme Court has "restrained" two attorneys from the practice of law who are the subject of this press release from the United States Attorney for the District of HawaiiAfter a three-week trial before United States District Judge Jill
Ben Schorr Knows Microsoft Inside Out—And He’s Here to Help Law Firms Use It Better
Welcome Ben Schorr to the Affinity Consulting Team
We’re excited to welcome Ben Schorr to the Affinity Consulting Group and Lawyerist team.
Ben brings decades of legal tech experience and a passion for solving problems and helping people work smarter.