Public First sought to unseal various summary judgment filings in a tax appeal by Booking.com BV. Booking appealed an assessment of nearly $20 million in taxes, penalties, and interest for amounts received by Booking between 2010-2020 from accommodation providers for properties located in Hawai`i. Booking and the Department of Taxation filed numerous documents under seal without explanation in apparent reliance on a stipulated protective order that allowed Booking to designate any “nonpublic” information as confidential. The case is assigned to Judge Kevin T. Morikone. On April 22, 2025, Judge Morikone granted Booking’s motion to seal. On May 23, 2025, after Booking.com filed redacted versions of its filings, Public First filed a petition asking the Hawaii Supreme Court to review the sealing. No. 1CTX-21-1613; No. SCPW-25-419.
- Motion to Unseal Court Records (9/18/24)
- DOTAX Response (11/14/24)
- Booking.com Opposition (11/15/24)
- PFLC Reply Memorandum (11/20/24)
- Booking.com Motion to Seal (11/22/24)
- DOTAX Response (1/31/25)
- PFLC Opposition (1/31/25)
- Booking.com Reply (2/5/25)
- Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Order (4/22/25)
- Petition for Writ of Prohibition and Writ of Mandamus (5/23/25)