October 17, 2026 News Read

By Andrew Walden @ 11:00 AM :: 124 Views

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State Supreme Court Blasts Hawaii Elections Officials: 'Why Are We Here?'

ASD: … Hawai‘i Supreme Court hears arguments in dispute between Hawai‘i Election Commission, Hawai‘i Office of Elections. At least one justice was stunned that the dynamic between the two groups had reached this point. …

Associate Justice Sabrina McKenna questioned why the Office of Elections hasn’t been more proactive in scheduling a meeting after four months of inactivity by the Commission with a general election looming.

“Why are we here?” McKenna exclaimed. “Why can’t this be done by rational people that are trying to serve the public?”

Schulaner said the Office of Elections could proactively send emails to each commissioner, asking them if they agree with holding a meeting, and if five commissioners answer in the affirmative, then the office would begin scheduling a meeting. But McKenna again was incredulous: “If you’re conceding that you could do that, why haven’t you done that?”

The Commission’s own inability to schedule meetings was also called into question. Cushnie said the commissioners do not have access to their fellows’ email addresses or contact information, which has prevented him from coordinating other commissioners.

Schulaner suggested that allowing commissioners to know each other’s emails could raise concerns about violations of the Sunshine Law, the government transparency law that, among other things, prohibits public boards from discussing business outside of agendized meetings. But he also could not confirm that the state Office of Information Practices specifically advised the Office of Elections to not share commissioners’ contact information with each other.

“You’re telling us that in all the years that this commission existed and that we’ve had email, that they haven’t created an email that would just say ‘[email protected]’?” scoffed Circuit Judge Peter Cahill.

Justices also questioned whether the Commission’s legal representation represents a conflict of interest. Cushnie and McKay represented themselves Friday; the Commission’s own attorney, Deputy Attorney General Jordan Ching, did not appear.

In fact, Schulaner said that Office of Elections staff reached out directly to the Commission’s counsel and received advice from him to not distribute correspondence among the commissioners….

“So your client is contacting the other entity’s lawyer directly and asking for advice?” Cahill said, calling this behavior “unheard of” for a lawyer. “So the lawyer is making decisions, and there’s nothing to indicate in the record that the lawyer obtained the consent of his own client to have these communications?”

The court made no decision Friday, and did not indicate when a decision would be forthcoming. …

BACKGROUND: State Supreme Court to Hear Trumpster Election Commission Dispute

MEANWHILE: Long Lines Suppress Votes on Election Day: Election Officials Plan to do it Again in 2026

CB: Supreme Court Blasts Embattled Elections Office: 'Why Are We Here?' - Honolulu Civil Beat -- “McKenna also noted that the commission would have to evaluate Nago’s job performance in the two months following the Nov. 3 general election.” … “Eddins also brought up the role of the chief justice in the case. Does the “CJ,” as the position is known, have the authority to appoint a ninth member to the commission? And does the chief justice have any role in appointing a chair? (Chief Justice Vladimir Devens recused himself from the case.)”

SA: Hawaii justices push state to help dysfunctional Elections Commission | Honolulu Star-Advertiser – “One question repeatedly asked by Acting Chief Justice Sabrina McKenna was why the Office of Elections, which provides administrative support to the commission, didn’t do more to help the panel convene meetings to carry out duties that include investigating alleged election violations and complaints as well as evaluating the performance of the office’s leader, Scott Nago, within two months of the upcoming Nov. 3 general election.”

KHON: Hawaii Supreme Court hears election oversight dispute

SA: Hawaii Supreme Court considers case of idled Elections Commission | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Read … Deadlocked state election organizations go to Hawai‘i Supreme Court

Feel like you’re overpaying for hotels? Blame Expedia, lawsuit says.

SA: … A lawsuit filed this month accuses Expedia Group of forcing millions of customers to pay significantly inflated prices for hotels, even if they’ve never used the booking giant’s platforms.

The suit, which is seeking class-action status, was filed Oct. 2 in the Western District of Washington. It claims Expedia violated federal antitrust laws by enforcing contracts that prevented hotels from offering lower rates via their own websites, loyalty portals or call centers. If a hotel offered a lower price on a competing platform, the suit claims Expedia would ensure the hotel was harder to find on the company’s platforms….

Read … Feel like you’re overpaying for hotels? Blame Expedia, lawsuit says. | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Swearing-in ceremony held for HPD deputy chiefs

HNN: … Two deputy chiefs were sworn in shortly after 9 a.m., at the Honolulu Hale Courtyard.

Deputy Chief Brandon Nakasato will oversee HPD field operations.

And Deputy Chief Parker Bode will manage the department’s administrative operations.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi and HPD Chief David Lazar attended the ceremony…

Read … Swearing-in ceremony held for HPD deputy chiefs | Hawaii News Now

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