Opinion ID: 2633532
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: The Plaintiffs' Remaining Claims (Counts III through VII) [28]

Text: The State defendants argue that the circuit court erred in denying their motion for judgment on the pleadings and failing to address their sovereign immunity defense as to all counts. The State defendants essentially contend that the plaintiffs' claims for breach of trust (Counts III and IV) and constitutional violations (Counts V, VI, and VII) are barred by sovereign immunity to the extent that they are claims for money damages. They further contend that the circuit court should have dismissed Counts V, VI, and VII because [Chapter] 674's remedies expired before [the] plaintiffs sued and no relief can be fashioned by the courts, and, as such, the claims are non-justiciable. (Capital letters altered.) The plaintiffs counter that the circuit court correctly denied the State defendant's motion because they seek only equitable relief, which, the defendants agree, is not barred by sovereign immunity. Based on a review of the complaint, it appears that the relief sought under the remaining claims is essentially a declaration that the plaintiffs have a right to sue under HRS chapters 674 and 673 and/or 661. In its August 30, 2000 order, the circuit court denied the State defendant's motion for judgment on the pleadings, treating it as a motion for summary judgment, without providing any explanation. Because the parties' arguments with regard to the remaining counts are relatively undeveloped, we are unable to definitively render a decision with respect to each of the remaining counts or claims represented by such counts. Nevertheless, to the extent that the remaining counts relate to a right to sue under HRS chapter 674, we believe that our holding in section III.B. that Chapter 674's judicial process remains available to the plaintiffs would be applicable. To the extent the remaining counts relate to a right to sue under HRS chapter 661, we believe that our conclusion in section III.C. that Act 14 does not create a contract would be applicable. Finally, we express no opinion with respect to the extent the remaining counts relate to a right to sue under HRS chapter 673 because such claims are not presently before this court.