Delay sought on travel ban consideration

The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court for additional time to file legal papers in response to a second federal appeals court that refused to lift a hold on President Donald Trump’s travel ban.

Acting U.S. Solicitor General Jeffrey Wall told the justices Tuesday he wants time to address Monday’s ruling from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. A three-judge panel ruled in favor of Hawaii’s challenge of the president’s revised travel ban.

The government has already asked the high court to review a similar ruling last month from the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va. The justices are considering the administration’s request to reinstate its ban on travelers from six mostly Muslim countries.

Wall suggested a briefing schedule that would run to June 21. The state of Hawaii has suggested a shorter briefing schedule.

Hawaii Attorney General Douglas Chin said Monday after the ruling that he is “cautiously optimistic” about the state’s chances before the Supreme Court justices.

HAWAII ISLAND

Soldiers’ swim gear stolen

KAILUA-KONA >> Loads of swim gear belonging to U.S. soldiers have been stolen from a military compound on Hawaii island.

The soldiers woke up last week to find two kayaks, 10 to 20 snorkel sets, all of their fishing poles, two tackle boxes and two paddleboards stolen from the military compound, West Hawaii Today reported. Food, an ukulele and a guitar also were stolen.

The United Service Organization donated the swim gear to the soldiers.

“It’s so atypical of the Hawaii island that this would happen,” said Eric Hamilton, public affairs officer for the military compound. “It’s possible they didn’t know who they were robbing. … For this to happen is unconscionable.”

Nalani Freitas, owner of Overstock N Discounts, said her company will help the organization restock the soldiers’ gear but that it will take some time.

“We do it because we can’t do enough for them,” Freitas said. “We’d never be able to do enough for the freedom they ensure for us.”

The organization has been donating swim gear to the Kawaihae harbor soldiers for nine years, volunteer Gaylene Hopson said.

“I can’t believe people would steal, but I really have faith the community will come together,” Hopson said.