Opinion ID: 2518820
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The County's Motions for Summary Judgment

Text: As previously noted, the County's first motion for summary judgment was withdrawn after the proposed Charter Amendment was approved by the voters. See supra note 3. Thereafter, on November 10, 2004, the County filed its first amended complaint. On November 23, 2004, the County filed a motion for preliminary injunction, seeking to enjoin the Defendants from implementing the newly approved Charter Amendment, which was to become effective on December 2, 2004. [9] On December 30, 2004, the County filed its second motion for summary judgment on the ground that the Charter Amendment is unconstitutional, violates the [RCCK], and impermissibly usurps the taxing authority of the County Council. Additionally, the County maintained, inter alia, that [t]he Charter Amendment also fails because it is void for vagueness. On January 19, 2005, the Appellants filed their memorandum in opposition to the County's second motion for summary judgment, arguing in relevant part that the Charter Amendment: (1) is not in violation of the Hawai`i Constitution; (2) is not an ordinance and that it merely caps real property taxes; and (3) is not vague or substantially incomprehensible. In granting summary judgment in favor of the County, the circuit court concluded that the Charter Amendment violated article VIII, section 3 of the Hawai`i Constitution and was void under the RCCK; the circuit court did not reach the vagueness issue. Final judgment was entered on May 20, 2005. On June 9, 2005, the Appellants timely appealed.