Deputy Corporation Counsel Gary Takeuchi just gave the HART Audit/Legal Affairs Committee a “litigation status update.”

Takeuchi said a recent status conference in California set the stage for a federal judge to hear arguments about various motions here in Honolulu next month, on April 18. That case is the one about the environmental review, brought by Cliff Slater, Ben Cayetano and others.

There are requests to let intervenors into the case, motions for partial summary judgment on both sides, and an attempt by the city to limit the scope of the lawsuit. Meanwhile, the parties are trying to amend the administrative record.

After all the motions, cross-motions and replies will keep lawyers busy through May and June, and a hearing on all the motions is set for August 21 at 10 a.m. here in Honolulu federal court. Mark your calendars now.

Meanwhile, the other lawsuit against rail, focused on Native Hawaiian burials, is soon headed to the Hawaii Supreme Court. Two justices — James Duffy and Simeon Acoba — have recused themselves, and they’re not required to explaining why. They’ll be replaced by appeals court judges. No hearings have yet been set.