The Hawaii Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal by Lanai residents asking that Councilman Sol Kahoohalahala be blocked from serving on the Maui County Council.

The group of 19 Lanai residents argue that Kahoohalahala is not a resident of the council's Lanai residency district, which he won election to. The plaintiffs are asking the court to find that by not being a resident, Kahoohalahala has forfeited his position, and that his seat is legally vacant.

Circuit Judge Joseph Cardoza in March dismissed the lawsuit, agreeing with Kahoohalahala's attorneys that the proper way for citizens to seek the removal of a county elected official they believe should not be in office is through impeachment or recall.

The Supreme Court has not yet scheduled oral arguments for the case. An attorney for the challengers, Robert Thomas, said the group would file a motion asking the court to expedite the case.