The Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals has dismissed an appeal filed by Certified Construction against Andrew T. Kawano, the procurement officer for the City and County of Honolulu. This decision, made on June 18, 2026, affects the construction firm and its ongoing legal matters with the city. The dismissal means that the case will not move forward in the appellate court, effectively ending this particular legal challenge.
The appeal was originally filed on September 19, 2025, but the parties later reached a stipulation to dismiss the case. This agreement allows both sides to avoid further legal costs and complications. The court's decision to approve the dismissal indicates a resolution between the parties involved.
Background
Certified Construction, a construction firm, was the plaintiff in this case. It filed the appeal against Andrew T. Kawano, who serves as the procurement officer and director of the Department of Budget and Fiscal Services for the City and County of Honolulu. The specifics of the dispute between Certified Construction and the city were not detailed in the court filing.
The case reached the Intermediate Court of Appeals following actions taken in the Circuit Court of the First Circuit. However, the details surrounding the initial case and the reasons for the appeal were not provided in the court documents. The appeal process is a legal avenue that allows parties to challenge decisions made by lower courts.
The Ruling
The court ruled to approve the stipulation for dismissal of the appeal. The judges involved in the decision were Presiding Judge Keith K. Hiraoka, Associate Judge Clyde J. Wadsworth, and Associate Judge Kimberly T. Guidry. The court noted that the appeal had not yet been docketed, meaning it had not officially entered the court's schedule for consideration.
The court stated, "the parties stipulate to dismiss the appeal and bear their own attorneys' fees and costs." This indicates that both sides agreed to resolve the matter without further litigation.
Additionally, the court confirmed that the stipulation was properly signed by counsel for all parties involved, which is a requirement for such dismissals under the Hawai#i Rules of Appellate Procedure. The court's approval of the stipulation effectively ends this appeal.
Impact
The dismissal of this appeal means that Certified Construction will not pursue its claims against the City and County of Honolulu in this instance. This outcome allows the city to move forward without the burden of ongoing litigation related to this case. It also highlights the importance of reaching agreements between parties to avoid extended legal battles.
This ruling does not set a legal precedent, as it is a dismissal based on mutual agreement rather than a substantive legal decision. However, it does reflect the court's willingness to facilitate resolutions between parties in disputes, which can be beneficial in reducing court congestion and promoting efficient legal processes.
What's Next
Since the appeal has been dismissed, there are no further actions expected in this case unless new issues arise. The court filing did not indicate whether there are any related cases pending or if Certified Construction plans to pursue other legal avenues in the future.