EEOC, Hawaii retailer settle suit
EEOC, Hawaii retailer settle suit
HONOLULU (AP) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said a company that operates stores at Hawaii resort areas will pay $60,000 to settle a pregnancy discrimination lawsuit.
The EEOC announced Wednesday that Step Three, Ltd. is settling the lawsuit involving a buyer who underwent infertility treatments. The EEOC said a company official allegedly made offensive comments about her intentions and eventual pregnancy.
The agency claimed the buyer lost her job when she said she wouldn’t be able to travel because of her pregnancy.
According to the EEOC, the company agreed to pay the woman $60,000 and provide a neutral reference.
The company also agreed to implement various anti-discrimination policies and procedures.
Auditor: Tourism plan unclear
HONOLULU (AP) — The Hawaii agency in charge of promoting tourism on the islands doesn’t have a clear marketing plan and isn’t properly managing $59 million in contracts to make sure taxpayer money is being spent wisely, the state auditor said Wednesday.
Acting State Auditor Jan Yamane said in an audit released Wednesday that Hawaii Tourism Authority’s marketing plan is confusing, spread through 15 documents and nearly 600 pages.
That makes it tough for the authority to measure its performance against goals set by the state, Yamane said.
Salvation Army: Donations down
HONOLULU (AP) — The Salvation Army said donations to its holiday red kettle campaign in Hawaii are down by 30 percent so far.
The Salvation Army raised nearly $1 million last year.
As of Monday, the red kettle bell campaign raised only about $371,000 statewide, officials said.
Other charities also said holiday giving is lagging.
Critics prepare to oppose project
HONOLULU (AP) — Proposed construction of luxury homes and a hotel in the hills above Kauai’s Hanalei Bay is drawing opposition from residents and community organizations that say it will ruin the view of a ridgeline north of the Hanalei River.
Ohana Hanalei LLC proposed a hotel and single-family units on 65.5 acres north of the Hanalei River, on land owned by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar.
Carl Imparato of the Hanalei Bay Coalition said the group opposes development of the land units.
The group is ready to challenge the development in court and in the legislature, he said.