HONOLULU -- Several groups of condominium owners who hoped to buy the land under their buildings suffered a major setback in federal court.

Several apartment and condo buildings had owners trying to buy their land when the council put an end to the conversion of leasehold to fee simple properties. The move would have forced the landowners to sell their property to the apartment owners. The city decided not to allow those apartment owners to continue the process.

In his ruling, Judge David Ezra said the city has the right to stop the condemnation process.

Attorneys for the condo owners said they will meet with their clients before deciding whether to appeal.

Residents of two buildings, the Kahala Beach Apartments and Discovery Bay, still have hopes for conversion if they win a related case in the state Supreme Court.