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Peer News LLC v. State Ethics Commission

Online publication Civil Beat challenged the State Ethics Commission’s decision to withhold financial disclosure statements filed by sitting members of the State’s most powerful boards and commissions. On December 31, 2014, Judge Rhonda Nishimura entered an order granting Civil Beat’s motion for preliminary injunction and ordering release of the financial disclosure statements. Civil No. 14-1-2022-09 RAN. On May 6, 2015, the Hawaii Supreme Court stayed disclosure until the circuit court entered final judgment. No. SCPW-15-9. Due to a change in policy on April 1, 2015, however, the Ethics Commission made all requested information publicly accessible on its website before the circuit court heard the parties’ motions for summary judgment.