HONOLULU (AP) — The Hawaii attorney general’s office must pay attorney fees for using last year’s Maui wildfire tragedy to file a petition in “bad faith” that blamed a state court judge for a lack of water for firefighting, Hawaii’s Supreme Court ruled.
It seems the state “tried to leverage the most horrific event in state history to advance its interests,” the ruling issued Thursday said.
The day after the historic town of Lahaina burned in a deadly August fire, the state attorney general’s office, representing the Board of Land and Natural Resources, filed a petition alleging east Maui stream flow protections established by Judge Jeffrey Crabtree caused the water shortage.
“Naturally we paid attention,” said the unanimous opinion authored by Justice Todd Eddins. “The Department of the Attorney General initiated an original proceeding during an unthinkable human event. The petition advanced an idea that legal events impacted the nation’s most devastating wildfire.”
She means business! Rita Ora steps out in chic tailored three
The royals have historically been tight
Tim Macindoe confirmed as Hamilton's East ward councillor
French athletes at Paris Olympics will receive better mental health protection
'Time to go home' French farmers told following two weeks of protest
Government confirms leaked document was a ministry Treaty Principles bill memo
Finance Minister Nicola Willis attending Waitangi commemorations, Iwi Chairs Forum
An appeals court dismisses charges against a Michigan election worker who downloaded a voter list
US intends further strikes on Iran
Revealed: Why you should always take your own sandwiches to the airport
Chinese satellite launch sparks 'missile' fears in Taiwan