About three weeks after rumors began that it had shut its doors, a November hearing date was set yesterday for Ho‘ola Lahui Hawai‘i’s President Wilma Holi and Program Director Leihinahina Sullivan. The nonprofit health clinic is up and running despite
About three weeks after rumors began that it had shut its doors, a November hearing date was set yesterday for Ho‘ola Lahui Hawai‘i’s President Wilma Holi and Program Director Leihinahina Sullivan.
The nonprofit health clinic is up and running despite a sign posted on the door Aug. 17 stating the building was closed because of “unforseen circumstances.”
A restraining order issued Thursday comes at the heels of allegations that the president and the director had a role in removing files and two computers from the building Aug. 17 and “seized control” of the office, according to court documents. The order prevents Holi and Sullivan from using, disclosing, deleting or tampering with any information contained in HLH computers or files. The two were also ordered to return any property they may have taken from the office.
HLH is a nonprofit charitable health care and community center for native Hawaiians. Holi has been a board member since 1992.
The center’s provisions include dental care, mental health and substance abuse services. Files and records kept there contain private health information of its patrons, the viewing of which is restricted from unauthorized parties under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, enacted in 1996.
The restraining order, issued Thursday, will be continued through Holi’s and Sullivan’s hearing date Nov. 9, Judge Kathleen Watanabe said.
The “coup de etats,” as stated in court documents, came the day after Chief Executive Officer David Peters, an employee of the group since 1998, was fired for “insubordination and mismanagement of Ho‘ola Lahui Hawai’i corporate funds” court documents state.
Sullivan and Holi allegedly had six private security guards from Garden Isle Security and a computer technician from New Wave Enterprises in tow when they entered the HLH office.
Holi and Sullivan proceeded to terminate several employees, though the exact number is unclear.
In a letter dated Aug. 12 and addressed to Holi, seven of the 10 board of directors requested that Holi resign from her board position. In a letter dated Aug. 17, a letter was sent to the seven directors in which Holi allegedly threatened to “suspend” the directors, court reports state.
In the past eight years, HLH has grown from a staff of 10 to 100, and its annual operating budget has subsequently grown from $400,000 to $8 million. In 2005, HLH served more than 5,000 residents.
After speaking with attorneys from both sides in her chambers privately and “off the record,” Watanabe said the extension of Holi’s and Sullivan’s restraining order doesn’t concede the allegations in the HLH’s motion.
Holi and Sullivan, both of whom declined to comment, have a hearing at 1 p.m. Nov. 9 in circuit court.
