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.”
Ed Westwick puts on a dapper display as he steps out with stunning fiancée Amy Jackson for star
Three sons of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh killed in Israeli airstrike
Watercare signals possible 25% increase in water rates
Democracy declines for 20th consecutive year, advocacy group says
Croatia's top court rules President Milanović cannot be prime minister because of campaign
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping
Xi Jinping China President New Year address: Taiwan reunification is an ominous warning message
Multiple people shot outside Ramadan celebration in Philadelphia
Karlie Kloss exudes confidence in a bold red midaxi dress as she attends star
South China Sea: Dozens of Chinese ships chase Philippine vessels in disputed sea
Larry David reunites with onscreen ex
Petrobras, investors discuss recovery of Brazilian refinery in Bahia