FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATELINE: January 19, 2015, Honolulu, Hawai`i
CONTACT: Kelsey Meehan, (808) 591-9193, kmeehan@grassrootinstitute.org
Plaintiffs Remain Confident in Case Against Na’i Aupuni Election
Grassroot Institute says case will proceed in Ninth Circuit after Supreme Court denies contempt motion
The attempt to bypass the election was seen by many as a high-handed attempt to dodge the Constitutional challenge. However, those involved in the case stressed that they have no intention of giving up. The case is currently before the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
“The Supreme Court has only denied a temporary remedy related to our case,” said Keli’i Akina, Ph.D., President of the Grassroot Institute and one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit. “We remain confident that when the full case is argued before the Ninth Circuit Court or Supreme Court, it will prevail on its merits. In the end, we expect the US Constitution to be upheld for the benefit of Native Hawaiians and all people of Hawaii.”
“Regardless of what happens in the courts, this case has successfully exposed the agenda of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Na’i Aupuni and the state when it comes to their nation-building scheme,” Dr. Akina continued. “They do not truly represent the people they purport to speak for. The public resources they are expending would be better utilized providing Hawaiians access to housing, job training, education, and health care.”
For background documents, see: http://new.grassrootinstitute.org/2015/10/akina-v-hawaii-the-documents/
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For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Kelsey Meehan at (808) 591-9193 or email kmeehan@grassrootinstitute.org.
About the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii:
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research institute dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, the free market, and limited, accountable government throughout Hawai`i and the Asia-Pacific region. Read more about us athttps://www.grassrootinstitute.org/
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About Grassroot President:
Keli’i Akina, Ph.D., is a recognized scholar, educator, public policy spokesperson, and community leader in Hawaii. Currently, he is President/CEO of Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, a public policy think tank dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, free markets and limited, accountable government. An expert in East-West Philosophy and ethics, Dr. Akina has taught at universities in China and the United States and continues as an adjunct instructor at Hawaii Pacific University. Dr. Akina was a candidate for Trustee at Large of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs in the 2014 General Election run-off.
