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.

In re Civil Beat Law Center for the Public Interest

The Law Center objected to the parties’ effort to authorize sealing of court records as part of a proposed protective order for discovery purposes in[...]

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. Miske, 19-CR-99 DKW-KJM. In his[...]

Sonomura v. Kubota (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. Department of Public Safety

Online publication Civil Beat challenged the Department of Public Safety’s refusal to identify and provide autopsy reports for individuals who died while in the Department’s[...]

Civil Beat Law Center for the Public Interest v. Chang

The Law Center requested public access to a “confidential” civil case. The Judiciary’s confidential flag seals the entire case from public view, including the names[...]

In re Civil Beat Law Center for the Public Interest

The Law Center moved to unseal the plea agreement in United States v. Akau, 19-CR-99 DKW-KJM. Contrary to local rule, the Defendant did not file[...]

State Dep’t of Human Services v. Papalii (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[...]

Civil Beat Law Center for the Public Interest v. Department of the Prosecuting Attorney

On April 5, 2021, after pursuing a stolen vehicle, police officers with the Honolulu Police Department fired multiple shots into the stopped vehicle, killing the[...]

Myeni v. City & County of Honolulu

On April 14, 2021, police officers with the Honolulu Police Department fatally shot Lindani Myeni. After his widow filed a civil lawsuit against the City[...]

State ex rel. Mah v. Affordable Casket Outlet, LLC (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[...]