Lawsuit seeking dismissal of Honolulu rail votes dismissed

HONOLULU (AP) - A judge has dismissed a lawsuit that sought to invalidate Honolulu City Council votes on the city's $6 billion rail project over conflict of interest claims.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports that the judge granted the city's motion to dismiss the case Tuesday. The lawsuit brought by Campbell Estate heiress Abigail Kawananakoa claimed current and former council members didn't disclose conflicts of interest before voting on the project and that those votes should be declared void.

The Honolulu Ethics Commission has settled charges against council members Romy Cachola and Nestor Garcia and dismissed claims against other current and former council members.

The charges alleged that accepted gifts from lobbyists and then voted on rail bills that were favorable to the lobbyists.

An attorney for Kawanakoa says she plans to appeal.

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