WAILUKU - A motion for summary judgment in a lawsuit that seeks to prevent Sol Kaho'ohalahala from continuing to serve on the Maui County Council is expected to be heard March 13 by 2nd Circuit Judge Joseph Cardoza.
On Friday, Cardoza granted an order blocking Kaho'ohalahala from having to turn over personal documents and other information requested in the suit, until after the motion for judgment is settled next month.
The lawsuit was filed by 21 Lanai residents who say Kaho'ohalahala should not serve in the council's Lanai residency seat because he is not a resident of the island, as required in the Maui County Charter.
Kaho'ohalahala was born and lived for years on Lanai, but in recent years he has lived with his wife in Lahaina while working on Maui. Shortly before he filed papers in July to run for the council, he changed his voter registration from Lahaina to Lanai.
The residents argue that Kaho'ohalahala has still not given up his home in Lahaina and moved back to the island.
But Kaho'ohalahala has contended that he meets the legal definition of a resident, because he intends to return to Lanai and has made arrangements to live with his brother at a family home in Lanai City sometime in the future.
Kaho'ohalahala has also said the suit is politically motivated, noting that the 21 plaintiffs include his defeated second special election opponent John Ornellas, as well as Alberta de Jetley, who ran against him in the September first special election.
