OUR ADVOCACY

CASES

Enforcing the Public's Right to Transparency

The following case summaries and select court filings provide a resource for those seeking to enforce public rights of access.

State of Hawaii v. Mental Health Kokua (Confidential Flag)

In 2018, the Law Center learned more about the State Judiciary’s use of a confidential flag. The confidential flag seals the entire case from public[...]

Honolulu Civil Beat v. Federal Bureau of Investigation

Online publication Civil Beat challenged the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s refusal to disclose any documents concerning its investigations into public corruption and bribery that resulted[...]

In re Civil Beat Law Center for the Public Interest

The Law Center moved to unseal the Government’s motion for downward departure in sentencing for former legislator Ty Cullen who pleaded guilty to honest services[...]

Civil Beat Law Center for the Public Interest v. United States District Court for the District of Hawaii

This case concerns whether the criminal local rules of the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii violate the First Amendment to the[...]

Doe v. White (Confidential Flag)

In 2018, the Law Center learned more about the State Judiciary’s use of a confidential flag for normal civil court cases. The confidential flag seals[...]

In re Civil Beat Law Center for the Public Interest

The Law Center moved to unseal the Defendant’s sentencing filings in United States v. Rudolph Puana, 19-CR-15 JMS-WRP. The documents should state the Defendant’s position[...]

In re Civil Beat Law Center for the Public Interest

The Law Center moved to unseal search warrant materials and related filings in connection with United States v. Leong et al., 21-CR-142 LEK. Search warrants[...]

In re Civil Beat Law Center for the Public Interest

The Law Center moved to unseal the Defendant’s sentencing statement and exhibits, including letters of support, in United States v. Nickie Mali Lum Davis, 20-CR-68[...]

Civil Beat Law Center for the Public Interest v. Maile

This case concerns whether a rule of the Hawaii State Courts violates the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The U.S. Supreme Court has long[...]

In re Civil Beat Law Center for the Public Interest

The Law Center objected to the proposed sealing of exhibits to a motion to compel discovery in United States v. Leong, 21-CR-142 LEK. In the[...]