City settles disability discrimination case over lack of elevator at a satellite city hall

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The City and County of Honolulu along with the Civil Rights Commission has settled a disability discrimination case over accessibility issues at the Fort Street Mall Satellite City Hall.

City officials say the case spawned from the lack of an elevator for individuals unable to use the stairs to enter the facility.

The settlement was announced Wednesday, and calls for a review of the city’s non-discrimination policy, training for the staff at the location to ensure understanding of disability discrimination in public accommodations, and the maintenance of visible signs at the stairs and elevator. The complainant also received an undisclosed payout.

The settlement was reached without the city admitting any wrongdoing.

“All parties may now move forward and avoide the time and expense of litigation,” the city said in a news release.

Current city policy requires all facilities to be accessible to everyone, regardless of disabilities.

Anyone who feels as if they are the subject of discrimination may contact the Hawaii Civil rights Commission at 808-586-8636, or email dlir.hcrc.infor@hawaii.gov.

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