Hawaii Jury Sides with Couple in Disability Discrimination Suit

A jury in Hawaii has sided with a Maui couple in a $1.9 million disability discrimination lawsuit against their condo association which fined them thousands of dollars for uncarpeted floors and attempted to sell their unit in foreclosure.

Lawyer Eric Ferrer, who represented Greg and Michele White, said that the Villas at Kenolio Association of Apartment Owners fined the couple $200 a day for a period of two years for the floors.

The condo board says the wooden floors in the couple’s unit violated the community’s rules.

The couple says the floors help Greg White navigate through the home. He is blind in his left eye and visually impaired in his right eye.

The couple explained that to the board, but the board denied their request for an exception.

The board declined to comment.

Topics Lawsuits

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Featured Comment

July 24, 2018 at 9:41 am

Fair Playing Field says:

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This is insane. The hardwood floors are in the hallways and one bedroom, yet the association would regularly bang on the White’s front door and yell through it in an aggressive attempt to collect the mounting fines. In an email, a board member questioned Mr. White’s disability because he walked the couple’s dogs outside.

We’re talking interior design here. Nothing that can be seen from the outside. And the HOA fined them daily and attempted to foreclose on their home. Over hardwood floors.

I think the award is appropriate for subjecting the Whites to two years of hell. The board members should find something worthwhile to do with their miserable lives. I’m sure there’s a beach, a bar, or both within close proximity.

Latest Comments

July 24, 2018 at 9:41 am

Fair Playing Field says:

This is insane. The hardwood floors are in the hallways and one bedroom, yet the association would regularly bang on the White's front door and yell through it in an aggressiv... read more
July 23, 2018 at 7:18 pm

Hmmmmmmm says:

It is decisions, as described in the article, that give HOA boards a bad reputation. Geez, use common sense.
July 23, 2018 at 5:29 pm

mrbob says:

Not certain how the jury decided the award was proper but the board sure did show they were less than wise.