Opinion ID: 746291
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Native Hawaiians' equal protection claims

Text: 57 The Ordinance applies to condominiums regardless of whether the owner is Native Hawaiian or non-Hawaiian. It thus does not on its face draw a distinction on the basis of a suspect classification. Nonetheless, the landowners assert that the Ordinance is unconstitutional due to its discriminatory effects. To prevail, however, the Bishop Estate must show not only a discriminatory effect, but also discriminatory intent. Village of Arlington Heights v. Metropolitan Housing Dev. Co., 429 U.S. 252 265, 97 S.Ct. 555, 563, 50 L.Ed.2d 450, (1977). 58 The Bishop Estate introduced no evidence of discriminatory intent on the part of the City. Instead, the Estate alleged that the City must have known that it and other Native Hawaiians owned numerous interests in leased condominiums and therefore that the City was aware the Ordinance would severely affect the Bishop Estate Trust and would harm the interests of Native Hawaiians. We agree with Judge Ezra that these allegations, even if true, do not present a prima facie case of discrimination. It is not enough to show that the City knew the law would affect Native Hawaiians. Discriminatory purpose ... implies more than an awareness of consequences. Personnel Adm'r v. Feeney, 442 U.S. 256, 279, 99 S.Ct. 2282, 2296, 60 L.Ed.2d 870 (1979). Because the landowners offered no other evidence of discriminatory intent, summary judgment on their equal protection claim was appropriate.