(AP). A former University of Hawaii-Hilo athletic director is accusing school officials of discriminating against her based on race, gender, and age. Kathleen McNally has filed a 10 million dollar lawsuit naming UH-Hilo and five current and former administrators. McNally served from 2002 to 2008, when she was placed on paid administrative leave until her contract expired later that year. McNally alleges that she was forced out in retaliation for her complaints about violations to Title IX, the federal law that requires equal access to educational programs and activities. The lawsuit also says she was underpaid compared to other athletic directors and that former vice chancellor Keith Miser once said her position should have been filled by a Japanese man. McNally is white. Miser and other defendants declined comment because of the pending litigation.
The jeep road leading from the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority to the popular surf beach known as “Pine Trees” was reopened Monday morning without fanfare following a community meeting on Friday that drew hundreds of angry residents. NELHA Chief Executive Officer Ron Baird told “West Hawaii Today” that the road will stay open until there’s a final resolution to the matter. Baird said the decision to reopen the road was his and was not a result of the community meeting.