In a recent decision, the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals dismissed an appeal involving Pacific Resource Partnership and the County of Kauai Planning Department. This ruling affects the ongoing legal matters between these parties and clarifies the status of their dispute.

The court issued its order on November 12, 2026, approving a stipulation to dismiss the appeal with prejudice. This means that the appeal cannot be refiled in the future. The parties involved agreed to bear their own attorneys' fees and costs associated with this appeal, which indicates a mutual decision to resolve the matter without further litigation.

The case, identified by docket number CAAP-25-0000517, included HPM Building Supply as a non-party appellant. The specifics of the original dispute were not detailed in the court filing, but the dismissal suggests that the parties reached an agreement outside of court.

Background

Pacific Resource Partnership is a prominent organization involved in various development projects in Hawaii. The County of Kauai Planning Department is responsible for overseeing land use and development regulations in Kauai County. The dispute between these parties likely involved issues related to planning and zoning, which are common in development-related cases.

The appeal reached the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals after an earlier ruling from the Circuit Court of the Fifth Circuit. While the details of that ruling were not provided, it is common for parties to appeal decisions that they believe were made in error or that adversely affect their interests.

HPM Building Supply, a non-party in this case, was also involved in the appeal. The role of HPM Building Supply in the original dispute was not specified in the court documents, but their participation as a non-party appellant indicates they had a vested interest in the outcome of the appeal.

The Ruling

The Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals ruled to approve the stipulation for dismissal, effectively ending the appeal process. The court noted that the stipulation was signed by counsel for all parties involved, indicating a consensus among the parties to resolve the matter.

The court stated, "the appeal is dismissed with prejudice. The parties shall bear their own attorneys' fees and costs in this appeal."

This ruling was made by Presiding Judge Katherine G. Leonard and Associate Judges Clyde J. Wadsworth and Sonja M.P. McCullen. Their decision reflects the court's willingness to honor the agreement made by the parties.

Impact

The dismissal of this appeal has significant implications for the parties involved. By resolving the dispute, Pacific Resource Partnership and the County of Kauai Planning Department can move forward without the uncertainty of ongoing litigation. This outcome may allow for more efficient progress on development projects and planning initiatives in Kauai.

Additionally, this ruling reinforces the importance of reaching agreements outside of court. It highlights how parties can resolve their differences without prolonged legal battles, which can be costly and time-consuming. The decision also serves as a reminder of the procedural options available to litigants in Hawaii, particularly the ability to dismiss appeals through mutual consent.

What's Next

Details about any potential further actions were not available in the court filing. However, since the appeal has been dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be refiled. There may be related cases pending, but the court documents did not specify any.