News & Commentary
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Oct 31, 2025
Hawaiʻi Federal Court Rules that FDA’s Restrictions on Medication Abortion are Unlawful
HONOLULU, HI – In an October 30 ruling, U.S. District Judge Jill Otake held that the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) imposition of medically unnecessary restrictions on the medication abortion pill, Mifepristone, violated federal law.
Oct 27, 2011
ACLU Files Second Brief on Behalf of Traveling Medical Cannabis Patients
The
By acluhawaii
Oct 27, 2011
New Softball Field For Baldwin High School Girls Is On Schedule
Baldwin High School Girls Softball Team, March 2010The Baldwin High School Girls’ Softball Team should be practicing on its new field by the start of the 2012 season – right on schedule! The State has made substantial progress on construction of the new field, which was negotiated as part of a settlement agreement with the State and Mau
By acluhawaii
Oct 17, 2011
9th Circuit Court of Appeals Agrees With ACLU: Taser Use Constitutes "Excessive Force"
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled today that Maui Police Department officers used excessive force in "Tasing" a woman who had called MPD for help with a domestic dispute. The Court similarly ruled that Seattle police used unconstitutionally excessive force by using a Taser on a pregnant woman whose crime was refusing to sign a speeding ticket. The Court ruled that Tasers constitute "intermediate" force and that Taser use was improper (under the plaintiffs' version of events) because the two women posed no threat to any of the police officers. The ACLU of Hawaii and the ACLU of Washington State submitted two amicus curiae ("friend of the court") letters; the ACLU's letters, and the Court's decision, are below.
By acluhawaii
Oct 04, 2011
Honolulu Prosecutor Drops Charges Against Peaceful Protesters; Better Police Training an Urgent Concern to Protect Free Speech
HONO
By acluhawaii
Sep 16, 2011
Civil Rights Attorneys Seek Dismissal of Unconstitutional Charges Filed Against Protesters
The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii Foundation (“ACLU”) and the Honolulu law firm of Davis Levin Livingston today announced that they are representing Jamie and Tess Meier, whose peaceful protest in support of gender equality on a Kalakaua Avenue sidewalk was abruptly halted by police intervention. Both were unlawfully cited for their conduct. The ACLU and Davis Levin Livingston will appear on Monday morning, September 19, 2011 to enter a “not guilty” plea for the protesters. The attorneys have asked City and County of Honolulu (“CCH”) Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro to dismiss immediately the charges that the Meiers violated Revised Ordinances of Honolulu (“ROH”) § 10-1.3(a)(5) (failing to obtain a parks department permit for “meetings or gatherings or other similar activity held by organizations, associations or groups”) because the ordinance is unconstitutional and does not apply to the Meiers’ First Amendment activities.On August 21, 2011, Jami
By acluhawaii
Aug 09, 2011
ACLU Files "Friend of the Court" Brief on Behalf of Traveling Medical Cannabis Patients
On July 11, 2011, the ACLU of Hawaii filed an amicus brief with the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals as to whether medical marijuana patients are allowed to transport their medicine without being prosecuted. Read the brief here:
By acluhawaii
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