What's Being Discussed

The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in a case involving a land use dispute between the City and County of Honolulu and several state agencies. The case number is SCOT-23-0000526.

• The City and County of Honolulu is the party bringing the appeal.
• The opposing parties are the Land Use Commission, the Department of the Attorney General, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, and the Department of Agriculture — all state agencies.

During oral arguments, attorneys from each side present their positions and answer questions from the justices. This is not a trial — no witnesses testify and no new evidence is introduced.

Decisions Expected

No immediate decision will be issued at the hearing. The justices will take the arguments under consideration and issue a written ruling at a later date. That ruling could have significant implications for land use authority and how disputes between city and state agencies are resolved.

Who Should Pay Attention

• Oʻahu residents and landowners interested in land use and zoning policy
• People following agricultural land protection issues in Hawaiʻi
• Developers, planners, and attorneys who work with land use regulations
• Anyone interested in how city and state government authority is balanced in Hawaiʻi

The hearing is open to the public at Aliʻiōlani Hale, 417 South King Street, Honolulu, and will also be livestreamed on the Judiciary's YouTube channel at YouTube.com/hawaiicourts and on ʻŌlelo Community Media.