Committee holds executive session and votes to recommend settlement action in Uyehara workplace lawsuit

The Government Relations, Ethics and Transparency Committee on May 13 convened an executive session to consult with counsel about a pending civil lawsuit filed by Kamilani Uyehara alleging hostile work environment, discrimination and related claims against the County of Maui. After the closed session the committee returned to open session and voted to recommend adoption of Resolution 25‑79, which seeks settlement authorization.

Deputy corporation counsel Glenn Pascual summarized the complaint on the public record and reported the case is scheduled for trial on Dec. 1, 2025. “This matter is set for trial on 12/01/2025 before the honorable judge Peter Cahill,” Pascual said during the open meeting. He told the committee the complaint alleges sexually explicit jokes made by a supervisor and subsequent work‑assignment changes the plaintiff contends were retaliatory.

The committee voted to convene the executive session so members could consult with legal counsel under Hawaii Revised Statutes section 92‑5(a)(4) and (a)(8). The motion to go into executive session was made by Councilmember Tom Cook, seconded by Council Chair Alice Lee; the roll call for the executive‑session motion recorded eight ayes and one excused member.

After the closed meeting the committee reported a brief public summary, consistent with Act 19 (2023). Legislative staff said the executive session discussion addressed “defenses to the allegations as set forth in the complaint, strength and weaknesses of the case, settlement efforts to date, as well as the potential liabilities to the county.” That summary was read aloud by legislative counsel when the committee returned to open session.

The committee then acted on a recommendation to adopt Resolution 25‑79 and authorize settlement discussions consistent with counsel’s advice. The motion to recommend adoption was made by Councilmember Yukie Sugimura, seconded by Chair Alice Lee; the recorded vote on the recommendation was seven ayes with two members excused. The committee’s recommendation will proceed to the full council agenda for final action.

Ending: The committee followed the statutory executive‑session procedure, publicly reported a limited summary of topics discussed in closed session, and passed a recommendation that the full council consider Resolution 25‑79. The committee did not release further confidential details discussed in executive session.