What are the consequences of a judgment awarding attorney's fees under 42.C. Section 1988 to plaintiff landowners?

Defendant state officials appeal the judgment awarding attorney's fees under 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1988 to plaintiff landowners. The action was brought under 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1983 and led to lengthy litigation concerning water rights in the state of Hawaii. This court provided a detailed factual and procedural history of the underlying litigation in its decision on the merits in Robinson v. Ariyoshi, 887 F.2d 215, 216-18 (9th Cir.1989). The trial court's award of attorney's fees is also published. Robinson v. Ariyoshi, 703 F.Supp. 1412 (D.Hawaii 1989).