The Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals has dismissed an appeal filed by Shareen W. Kaheaku against the State of Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez. The court ruled that Kaheaku failed to file necessary documents by the required deadlines, which led to the dismissal of her case.

This decision affects Kaheaku, who was seeking to appeal a lower court ruling. The dismissal highlights the importance of adhering to procedural rules in the appeals process.

Background

Shareen W. Kaheaku, the plaintiff in this case, initiated an appeal against the State of Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez. The dispute arose from a prior ruling made by the Circuit Court of the First Circuit, although details about the original case were not provided in the court filing.

The appeal was filed under docket number CAAP-25-0000837. According to the court documents, Kaheaku was required to submit a statement of jurisdiction and an opening brief by specific deadlines. The statement was due on January 20, 2026, and the opening brief was due on February 17, 2026.

However, Kaheaku, who represented herself in this case, did not file either document or request an extension of time. On February 23, 2026, the appellate clerk issued a default notice to Kaheaku, informing her that her time for filing the necessary documents had expired. The notice also indicated that the matter would be reviewed by the court on March 5, 2026, which could lead to the dismissal of her appeal.

The Ruling

On June 26, 2026, the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals officially dismissed Kaheaku's appeal. The ruling was made by Chief Judge Karen T. Nakasone, along with Associate Judges Clyde J. Wadsworth and Daniel M. Gluck.

The court stated, "Kaheaku has not taken any further action in this appeal," confirming that her failure to comply with the procedural requirements led to the dismissal. The court emphasized the importance of following the rules set forth in the Hawaii Rules of Appellate Procedure (HRAP).

This ruling serves as a reminder to all parties involved in legal proceedings about the necessity of adhering to deadlines and filing requirements. Failure to do so can result in the loss of the right to appeal.

Impact

The dismissal of this appeal has significant implications for Kaheaku. It effectively ends her attempt to challenge the lower court's decision, as she did not take the necessary steps to pursue her case further. This outcome underscores the challenges faced by self-represented litigants in navigating the legal system, particularly regarding procedural rules.

Additionally, the ruling may serve as a cautionary tale for others in similar situations. It highlights the importance of understanding and following court procedures, as failure to do so can lead to the dismissal of a case, regardless of its merits.

What's Next

Details were not available in the court filing regarding whether Kaheaku plans to appeal this dismissal or if there are any related cases pending. However, the dismissal does close the door on her current appeal unless she can successfully challenge this ruling in a higher court.