The legality of written exceptions that President Bush attaches to some bills he signs into law tops the agenda for the American Bar Association as the nation's largest lawyers group opened its convention in Hawai'i yesterday. Some 5,000 lawyers had registered in advance for the six days of meetings at the Hawai'i Convention Center. ABA lawyers also planned to discuss how the United States should protect civil liberties while fighting a war on terror. There will be other sessions on healthcare, immigration and entertainment law. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy and former Philippines Chief Justice Helario Davide Jr. are being honored tomorrow at an International Rule of Law Luncheon. But the issue of whether Bush has the power to attach so-called signing statements to legislation he signs may grab the most attention.