Nelson v. Hawaiian Homes Commission

Opinion of the Court by

McKENNA, J.

1. Introduction

Following the publication of this court’s opinion in Nelson v. Hawaiian Homes Comm’n, 127 Hawai'i 185, 277 P.3d 279 (2012), Respondents/Plaintiffs-Appellants Richard Nelson III, Kaliko Chun, James Aki-ona, Sr., Sherilyn Adams, Kelii Ioane, Jr., and Charles Aipia (collectively “Plaintiffs”), represented by Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation (“NHLC”) requested attorneys’ fees and costs2 as the prevailing party, pursuant to the private attorney general doctrine. Both the State of Hawai'i and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands filed objections3…