Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy Blocks Native Hawaiian Self-Governance Vote Count

By Associated Press

28 November 15

awaii's attorney general is expressing the state's support for Native Hawaiian self-governance after a U.S. Supreme Court justice temporarily blocked votes from being counted in an election for Native Hawaiians.

State Attorney General Doug Chin says Friday's order doesn't prevent people from voting in the election, which he describes as a private process that may help chart a path toward a Native Hawaiian government.

Justice Anthony Kennedy's order also stops the certification of any winners pending further direction from him or the entire court.

A group of Native Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians is challenging the election, arguing Hawaii residents who don't have Native Hawaiian ancestry are being excluded from the vote, in violation of constitutional rights.

They appealed to the high court after lower courts allowed the election to proceed as planned.

One of the Native Hawaiians who sued to stop an election that would be a significant step toward Native Hawaiian self-governance says he's pleased a Supreme Court justice is blocking votes from being counted.

Kelii Akina is part of a group of Native Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians challenging the election. They say it's racially exclusive and unconstitutional.

The ruling is a victory for Native Hawaiians who don't want to be turned into a "government-recognized tribe," Akina said.

Justice Anthony Kennedy's order on Friday also stops the certification of any winners pending further direction from him or the entire court.

Native Hawaiians are voting to elect delegates for a convention next year to come up with a self-governance document to be ratified by Native Hawaiians. Voting ends Monday.

An attorney representing the organization leading a Native Hawaiian election says the group is disappointed a U.S. Supreme Court justice is blocking votes from being counted.

Justice Anthony Kennedy's order on Friday also stops the certification of any winners pending further direction from him or the entire court.

Nai Aupuni attorney Bill Meheula encourages voters to continue voting. He's confident that lower courts' rulings allowing the election and vote count to proceed are correct.

Native Hawaiians are voting to elect delegates for a convention next year to come up with a self-governance document to be ratified by Native Hawaiians. Voting ends Monday.

A group of Native Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians is challenging the election, arguing Hawaii residents who don't have Native Hawaiian ancestry are being excluded from the vote, in violation of their constitutional rights.

A U.S. Supreme Court justice has issued a temporary stay blocking the counting of votes in an election that would be a significant step toward Native Hawaiian self-governance.

Justice Anthony Kennedy's order on Friday also stops the certification of any winners pending further direction from him or the entire court.

Native Hawaiians are voting to elect delegates for a convention next year to come up with a self-governance document to be ratified by Native Hawaiians. Voting ends Monday.

A group of Native Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians is challenging the election, arguing Hawaii residents who don't have Native Hawaiian ancestry are being excluded from the vote, in violation of their constitutional rights. They argue it's an unconstitutional, racially exclusive process.