The Spirit of Aloha is bigger than the Constitution

[armoredman]

I thought this had to be an Onion or Babylon Bee article, but sadly, it is apparently completely true - Hawaii Supreme Court was tossing back one to many Mai Tais and issued this drunken drivel, stating that the Spirit of Aloha means they don't have to honor the Second Amendment for ordinary citizens, while quoting TV show lines. If I were a lawyer with this court, I would quietly quit and hope nobody asks about my time working there.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/hawaii-court-says-spirit-aloha-supersedes-constitution-second-amendment

[Earl Keese]

Sadly, so many things happening these days seem like parody. Absudity is the new normal.

[Alcoy]

Very sad indeed. 

[jwc007]

Quite a few State Courts seem to be no longer afraid of the SCOTUS, with some of the crazy rulings taking place:

Washington Gun Laws take below:

https://youtu.be/Pt7SRGa0YUs?si=pLtLRJKIRCQahGhq

[AZ_CZ]

It’s the slippery slope of States Rights vs Federal regulation. Not everyone, every where want, need or believe the same things.

[crosstimbers]

Well, I saw an article about this and didnt read beyond the title as I could pretty well tell it would be a nauseating read. What I did wonder was just what the heck the "Spirit of Aloha" is supposed to mean? I just didn't wonder enough to subject myself to reading the thing.

[NETim]

Too many gunowners voting blue.   Elections matter.

[gatorb]

I thought this had to be an Onion or Babylon Bee article, but sadly, it is apparently completely true - Hawaii Supreme Court was tossing back one to many Mai Tais and issued this drunken drivel, stating that the Spirit of Aloha means they don't have to honor the Second Amendment for ordinary citizens, while quoting TV show lines. If I were a lawyer with this court, I would quietly quit and hope nobody asks about my time working there.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/hawaii-court-says-spirit-aloha-supersedes-constitution-second-amendment

Agreed

[SailDesign]

Too many gunowners voting blue.   Elections matter.

Yup - because other things than guns also matter.

I know - heresy!  Live with it. 

[armoredman]

Well, I saw an article about this and didnt read beyond the title as I could pretty well tell it would be a nauseating read. What I did wonder was just what the heck the "Spirit of Aloha" is supposed to mean? I just didn't wonder enough to subject myself to reading the thing.

The "Spirit of Aloha" is the Hawaii Supreme Court calling up the ghosts of the long dead Kingdom of Hawaii to justify why they refuse to follow Heller, MacDonald and Bruen SCOTUS decisions, and openly state that the RTKA doesn't apply to Hawaiian citizens. So, the "Spirit of Aloha" could possibly called the long dead stench of monarchy and dictatorial total control.

[crosstimbers]

I guess I assumed that it was some part of an old saying or something, as opposed to some perversion of past something or other.

[Atomic Punk]

Well, I saw an article about this and didnt read beyond the title as I could pretty well tell it would be a nauseating read. What I did wonder was just what the heck the "Spirit of Aloha" is supposed to mean? I just didn't wonder enough to subject myself to reading the thing.

"Under 1986’s Hawaiian Spirit Law, the state mandates that state officials and judges treat the public with “aloha spirit”, described as the coordination of the heart and mind to foster connectivity and peace that calls for contemplation and presence of five life-force traits: “akahai” (kindness, expressed with tenderness); “l?kahi” (unity, expressed with harmony); “olu?olu” (agreeableness, expressed with pleasantness); “ha?aha?a” (humility, expressed with modesty); and “ahonui’” (patience, expressed with perseverance)."

They also quoted a thug from the HBO series, "The Wire" in the decision.

Apparently, feels and pop culture override the Constitution. We really are living out the movie, Idiocracy.

[crosstimbers]

Well, I saw an article about this and didnt read beyond the title as I could pretty well tell it would be a nauseating read. What I did wonder was just what the heck the "Spirit of Aloha" is supposed to mean? I just didn't wonder enough to subject myself to reading the thing.

"Under 1986’s Hawaiian Spirit Law, the state mandates that state officials and judges treat the public with “aloha spirit”, described as the coordination of the heart and mind to foster connectivity and peace that calls for contemplation and presence of five life-force traits: “akahai” (kindness, expressed with tenderness); “l?kahi” (unity, expressed with harmony); “olu?olu” (agreeableness, expressed with pleasantness); “ha?aha?a” (humility, expressed with modesty); and “ahonui’” (patience, expressed with perseverance)."

They also quoted a thug from the HBO series, "The Wire" in the decision.

Apparently, feels and pop culture override the Constitution. We really are living out the movie, Idiocracy.

In a way, this is the sort of thing that keeps me from feeling very secure about the idea of Constitutional protections anymore, as in when people say something is unenforceable or what have you.

At the rate things are going, specifically with regard to gun laws but also other legal issues, nobody needs to be saying there is no need to worry about a given bill or proposal. The high court itself is under attack, or beginning to be. If we are at the point that a Governor can set aside certain rights (NM) and now State officials are doing the same under the banner of some heritage-drummed up foolery.....how can anyone say anything is guaranteed anymore? Just my two cents.

[Wobbly]

The "Spirit of Aloha" is the Hawaii Supreme Court calling up the ghosts of the long dead Kingdom of Hawaii to justify why they refuse to follow Heller, MacDonald and Bruen SCOTUS decisions, and openly state that the RTKA doesn't apply to Hawaiian citizens. So, the "Spirit of Aloha" could possibly called the long dead stench of monarchy and dictatorial total control.

That's a wee bit too strong. Look at it from their point of view. They seem to have taken a dual oath.... to hold on to the spirit from their ancestors, and uphold the Constitution. Plenty of lower court decisions get over-turned by higher courts. All the cases you list happen to prove that.

Within the State of Hawaii, they would proabably get fired faster for breaking with their ancestors, than making a decision that was later over-turned by a higher court. So I think it's a fairly understandable decision from the point of view of several justices who like their jobs and want to stay where they are. After all, the number of judges who come off the bench simply to get back to being a courtroom lawyer is proabably fairly short.

And too, let's remember that it was only the American land owners who wanted statehood. The native Hawaiians weren't, and still aren't, so hopped up on being part of the USA.

So, you're correct. This ruling will be over-turned within weeks on legal grounds. But at the same time a handful of judges in Hawaii will also get to keep their high-paying cushy jobs with all the perks and amenities. And, at the same time they get to poke their finger in the eye of Uncle Sam. From their point of view it's a win-win-win.

[crosstimbers]

I wouldn't rule out such things, but still think the simplest explanation is the most likely- they actually believe the (with held) that they are saying.

Some might try and equate it to Sheriff's that say they'll refuse to enforce certain gun laws, but I say there is a vast gulf of difference between taking a stance in support of the Constitution, and actions in defiance of it.

In any case I still say we are in trouble, as a nation and as a society. I probably need to stop there, if I haven't already went too far.