Plaintiffs Plan to Appeal 9th Circuit Ruling to Supreme Court
News Release from Grassroot Institute
HONOLULU, HAWAII--Nov. 19, 2015--Today, the Grassroot Institute reassured those concerned about the impropriety of the state-sponsored Hawaiians-only election that the legal battle is far from over. Although the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals denied the plaintiffs' request for an injunction to stop the election, Grassroot Institute President Dr. Keli'i Akina promised that they would continue to press the case and shine a light on the issues important to Native Hawaiians.
"The 9th Circuit Ruling is still at an early stage in the legal fight, and we remain confident that we will ultimately prevail on the merits of the case," stated Dr. Akina, who is also a plaintiff in the case. "We are currently looking at all of our options, and plan to appeal the Ninth Circuit decision to the U.S. Supreme Court."
"Everyday, more and more Native Hawaiians make it clear that they are dissatisfied with the Na'i Aupuni and the election process. We have a duty to them and all the people of Hawaii to put a halt to this unconstitutional and racially divisive scheme. We must ensure that Native Hawaiian monies are used for the betterment of Native Hawaiians and not for an unconstitutional election," Dr. Akina concluded.
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About the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii:
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research institute dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, the free market, and limited, accountable government throughout Hawai`i and the Asia-Pacific region. Read more about us at http://www.grassrootinstitute.org/
About Grassroot President:
Keli’i Akina, Ph.D., is a recognized scholar, educator, public policy spokesperson, and community leader in Hawaii. Currently, he is President/CEO of Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, a public policy think tank dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, free markets and limited, accountable government. An expert in East-West Philosophy and ethics, Dr. Akina has taught at universities in China and the United States and continues as an adjunct instructor at Hawaii Pacific University. Dr. Akina was a candidate for Trustee at Large of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs in the 2014 General Election run-off.
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