Opinion ID: 2513931
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Proceedings In The HCRC Based On The Complainants' Allegations Of Discrimination

Text: On January 20 and 22, 1998, respectively, Sims and Quinata filed complaints with the HCRC pursuant to HRS chapter 368, alleging, inter alia, that Derek Kim, an employee of SCI Management Corp., Hawaiian Memorial Park Cemetery, and Hawaiian Memorial Life Plan, Ltd. dba Borthwick Mortuaries, had sexually harassed them and that they had been subjected to retaliation because of their resistance to the alleged sexual harassment. The executive director investigated the complaints and, on January 24, 2000, informed the complainants that he had determined that there was reasonable cause to believe that Derek Kim had committed unlawful discriminatory practices against them and requested that the plaintiffs enter into informal discussions with the complainants in order to settle the case. On July 5, 2000, after informal conciliation methods had failed, the executive director issued his final conciliation demand to the plaintiffs, in which the executive director insisted, inter alia, that the plaintiffs pay each of the complainants $400,000.00 as alleged general damages, including but not limited to emotional distress. On August 3, 2000, the plaintiffs having failed to respond, a contested case hearing was scheduled for each complainant. Sims and Quinata subsequently intervened as parties in their respective cases and the cases were consolidated over the plaintiffs' objections on January 11, 2001. On March 2, 2001, in a letter to the executive director, the plaintiffs demanded a jury trial as to all of the allegations raised by the complainants, pursuant to article I, section 13 of the Hawai'i Constitution, see supra note 3. The record does not reflect whether the executive director ever responded to the plaintiffs' request.