They are afraid of the ridicule and political firestorm they would ignite in the Mass media proclaiming them to be "RACISTS" and "Idiots", especially if Hawaii produces a non-remarkable certified Birth Certificate. (Which I don't think would happen, but I can see how someone else would worry about this greatly.)
They are afraid of crying "Wolf" and been made out to be fools and laughingstocks. That has been the normal methodology directed at anyone who dares question this guy's legitimacy.
Well, if it is true that the government officials in the state of Alabama are afraid of being called racist and ridiculed, there’s not much that can be done about that until the next elections: “no guts, no glory.”