EEOC alleges Aloha Auto Group violated federal discrimination laws

HONOLULU (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced a lawsuit against Aloha Auto Group Ltd. for allegations of firing an employee who advised other employees of their right to complain about racial harassment.

The EEOC alleges Daniel Young worked in the sales and rentals department at the company's Harley-Davidson dealership on Kauai. Young allegedly was informed by coworkers who were Asian-American and Pacific Islander that a manager had subjected them to discriminatory comments. Young purportedly talked with the employees about their right to file a hostile work environment complaint; the company fired him for doing so, the EEOC contends.

"Retaliation is the most common type of discrimination charge EEOC receives," said Anna Park, regional attorney for EEOC's Los Angeles District, which includes Hawaii in its jurisdiction. "Informing other employees of their workplace rights is a protected activity, and trying to quash that right is unlawful."

The commission seeks back pay, benefits and compensatory and punitive damages for Young. It also seeks injunctive relief to bar future discrimination by Aloha Auto Group.

"Hawaii is a diverse society with people from different racial backgrounds,” said Glory Gervacio Saure, director of EEOC's Honolulu local office. “Employers need to be cognizant of this and ensure a workplace that is free of racial hostility and discrimination."