ICA Allows HECO to Bully Scott Goold . Exposing Incompetence, Corruption and Collusion with Hawaiian Electric

Is Scott Goold Most Dangerous Buggah in Hawai'i?

On Friday, March 31, 2023, Hawaii's Intermediate Court of Appeals (ICA) granted Scott Goold's motion to dismiss his appeal against Hawaiian Electric (ORDER). Big victory, right? Hmmmm .... Scott did not file a motion to dismiss.

UPDATE April 14, 2023: Honorable ICA graciously vacated the dismissal. Scott Goold's appeal has been reinstated (VACATED). Scott had "withdrawn under objection." Hawaiian Electric served Scott's legal team with a Rule 11 motion for sactions two years ago (4.6.21). They claim Scott is a bad guy and chased away his attorneys. However, Hawaiian Electric is afraid to file their motion with the court. They illegally use their motion to keep attorneys from assisting Scott. Playground punks and bullies!

Not only are the allegations without merit, Hawaiian Electric's Rule 11 is unlawful. Hawaiian Electric has cheated Scott Goold for over four years. When corporations cheat, they teach our keiki to cheat. Hawaiian Electric is not setting a positive example in our community. Children learn negative, bullying behavior from officials like them. We have a leadership problem in Hawai'i and America.

Teens Cheat Because Corporations and the Privileged Cheat

Citizens Do Not Respect Rule of Law, Because Corporations and the Privileged Do Not

Presiding Judge Katherine G. Leonard, Sonja M.P. McCullen and Derrick H.M. Chan noted, that their ruling was "NOT FOR PUBLICATION IN WEST'S HAWAI'I REPORTS AND PACIFIC REPORTER." To Scott, this means their ruling is not pono. Seems the Honorable Judges are embarrassed by their decision.

Scott submitted a position memo to the court later in the day memoralizing his disappointment (POSITION). Scott claimed the Honorable ICA "refused to hold Defendant HECO accountable for their misuse of Rule 11 and inappropriate legal behavior."

Scott believes violating protocols of Rule 11 is a serious legal infraction and numerous experts determined the professional community in Hawai'i suffers a cancer of "Deep Moral Crisis."

Scott claims Hawaiian Electric has bullied and harassed him for years. Scott now claims the ICA allows HECO to continuing bullying.

Truth is Hawaiian Electric filed a motion to dismiss Scott's appeal. Scott replied proving Defendant HECO's argument was legally flawed and that the prestigious local company had been harassing Scott for years with an unlawful Rule 11 (REPLY). A fair court likely would have sanctioned Defendant HECO.

Unfortunately for residents of the Aloha state, elites are not fair. Those with privilege usurp their power and corrupt our systems of government and business.

Scott Goold, PhD work in political science, closed writing to the court:

"The glue is dissolving in Hawai’i and throughout our nation. Our illustrious beacon of light and hope for the world shines more dimly each day. Is the price to protect the vile behavior of Defendant HECO worth further destruction our ‘ohana? Plaintiff is not an attorney. Mr. Goold’s speciality is strengthening democracy. You have been warned."

Chad Blair wrote in Civil Beat (3.21.23) that Senate "bullies" are creating chaos at the Capitol this year. Claims colleagues accuse Donovan Dela Cruz and Michelle Kidani have taken political strong-arming to an alarming level to control business and financial issues.

Russell Ruderman echoed Blair's account stating, "It’s refreshing to finally hear stories being told about the bullies at the state Senate. The situation is worse than one can imagine, and was the reason I could not continue serving in that body."

Scott Goold claims Hawaiian Electric has bullied him for years. He reports that William "Bill" Hoshijo, executive director, Hawai'i Civil Rights Commission (HCRC), and Liann Ebesugawa, unpaid commissioner chair, who is compensated by Hawaiian Electric, obstructed his charge of discrimination against HEI and HECO for over three years — refusing to allow the investigation of the complaint to continue.

William Bill Hoshijo and Liann Ebesugawa

William "Bill" Hoshijo and Liann Ebesugawa

One commission investigator told Scott the case file sat idly on Bill's desk. Bill has authority to investigate. Bill also has privilege to unjustly protect his friends.

Defendant HECO wrote, "Mr. Goold thereafter filed a complaint with the Hawai‘i Civil Rights Commission ("HCRC"), which is still pending. Apparently frustrated with his progress before the HCRC, Mr. Goold has embarked on a campaign of harassment against Hawaiian Electric ..."

And Scott's complaint remained pending ... and pending ... and pending — for over three years. Hoshijo and Ebesugawa never planned to complete the investigation. They delayed to protect Hawaiian Electric. Scott could have waited until he died. No investigation was going to happen.

Consider the position of HCRC. To dismiss Scott's complaint, they had to base their decision on a legal principle. There was none. HCRC could not dismiss.

Lacking legal justification, a fair commission would find for Scott. Hoshijo and Ebesugawa did not demonstrate the moral courage to make the pono call and rule for an outsider — a worker. Corporations govern in Hawai'i. They are the new monarchy. Scott was just a peasant.

HECOgate.com details this sordid history, as there is a Lack of Honor among elites in Hawai'i — and Hawaiian Electric management in particular. For more than 125 years, the Hawaiian Electric Companies have provided the energy that has fueled our islands' growth and prosperity. CEO & President Connie Lau said often, "With that great privilege comes great responsibility."

Is Scott Goold Dangerous Buggah?

Some Claim Scott Goold is Dangerous

Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc., and Shana M. Buco claim Scott Goold is one dangerous buggah. Collectively, they accuse Scott of violating Rule 11(b) of the Hawai'i Rules of Civil Procedure, making false and threatening statements, and of harassing the companies and staff (SANCTIONS).

Scott has never threatened anyone. However, as a ballplayer, Scott was honored for his harassing defense. Scott stuck like glue to his opponent. And Scott is relentless in his political pursuit to change HECO's discriminatory medical policy.

Scott admits he contacted numerous officials about the loss of his job (See at right). HECO stripped Scott of employment, income, and healthcare benefits when he was injured and disabled.

Scott has been clear — he believes the kind, compassionate female Asian executives would never discharge another female. They didn't treat non-Asian male Scott Goold with such professional courtesy and humanity.

Scott admits he filed complaints about CEO Lau, as well as HECO attorneys Susan Li and Thao Tran (See at right). Defendant HECO failed to provide Scott with their Substance Abuse Policy (SAP), as required. [NOTE: HECO provided Scott the SAP in April 2021 — two years after the company terminated his employment.]

Had HECO provided the SAP to Scott as required, he would have been able to switch medications or seek a waiver. Defendant HECO withheld this information from Scott. And, by the rules provided to Scott, he was compliant with corporate policy. Scott passed HECO's pre-employment drug screen. Rules are the rules!

President Joe Biden Says, the rules are the rules

President Joe Biden Says, "the rules are the rules" source

Defendants HEI and HECO promise to be fair in all dealings. Do you believe Defendants were fair to Scott? Scott Goold does not. Scott has fought to be returned to service and have his excellent professional reputation restored.

Defendant HECO claims Scott sent numerous emails badgering and threatening Hawaiian Electric employees. Had Scott actually "threatened" employees, Defendant HECO would have filed a report with HPD.

Perhaps "most egregiously" they say, Defendant HECO claims Scott is dangerous because he filed "spurious" complaints with the Office of Disciplinary Counsel against Connie Lau, Susan Li and Thao Tran (SEE at right). Quelle horreur!

DOWNLOAD Defendant HECO's Motion for Sanctions (MOTION).

Tragically, our nation is shocked each week by senseless, horrible mass shootings, and generally by males who are upset. Scott Goold was upset — terribly upset — he was suicidal. Such an individual might be a Red Flag for a violent outburst.

What did Scott do in his distressed state? He opened his laptop and wrote letters of appeal to company management and officials in Hawai'i. Scott used this mental health intervention so not to lash out violently. Defendant HECO refused to respond.

Possibly if corporate executives cared more about current and former employees, America would suffer fewer violent incidents. Defendant HECO pushed Scott to the edge on his 25th floor apartment. They cared not if he lived or died. Defendant HECO and corporate allies were more concerned about covering up their failures.

Great privilege demands great responsibility. Right, CEO Connie Lau?

HECO HR rep Shana Buco terminated his employment with the company. Scott says Shana called him on February 25, 2019, and ordered him to immediately get out of their offices. Scott reported Shana said he was a danger to coworkers, the company and general publc. Wow! Look at this dangerous buggah!

Is Scott Goold Dangerous Buggah?

Does Scott Goold Look Dangerous?

Due to injuries and disability, Scott is a medical cannabis patient. He is also certified by the CDC-University of New Mexico School of Medicine to avoid opioid medications, teach others to do the same, and assist those struggling with addiction.

To Hawaiian Electric, Scott Goold is dangerous. Scott uses medical cannabis, weed, pot — or as locals in Hawai'i say, pakalolo. Scott medicates prior to bed each night to reduce his pain so he can sleep. He never uses cannabis before work or during working hours.

Due to outstanding performance over six months, HECO offered Scott permanent employment. HECO admits Scott informed them he was an active medical cannabis patient. HECO admits Scott told his assigned HR rep, Liz Dear, that he would indicate positive for cannabis.

Scott claims Dear told him with certainty that he would fine. Dear claims she said, "I don't believe it will be a problem, but I will inform my supervisor and if there are issues, someone will get back to you." Nobody got back to Scott and Shana Buco fired him on February 25, 2019. Scott believes he was cheated. Do you agree or disagree?

HECO told HCRC they "allowed Goold to take the pre-employment drug test to determine whether [Scott] had used or had marijuana present in his body at work or while on Company premises in violation of HECO's drug policy."

HECO required Scott to submit a urine sample. Urine does not contain marijuana — a urine screen indicates THC-COOH, not Delta THC. Delta THC is the active intoxicating and impairing compound.

THC-COOH, on the other hand, doesn't induce any psychoactive effects whatsoever. It's basically just part of the body’s response to THC exposure. Unfortunately, THC-COOH stays in the system much longer than THC.

Scott knew this about THC-COOH; that's why Scott told HECO he was a medical patient and would likely indicate positive on their rudimentary test. Dear led Scott to believe he would be fine.

Knowing this, Buco hid HECO's policy from Scott and allowed him to test. HECO and Buco entrapped Scott. For this and other reasons, Scott claims Dear, Buco and others are cruel and unkind women.

HECO told HCRC (p19) that Scott "requested HECO waive its policies that would prohibit his potential continued marijuana use and future positive test results." Their claim is false.

HECO attorneys Susan Li and Thao Tran demanded Scott discontinue use of medical cannabis "cold turkey," which was recklessly dangerous to Scott or any medical patient. Scott complied immediately, as he wanted to return to work, but HECO only allowed a urine screen for proof of compliance.

Li and Tran treated Scott like a criminal, a drug addict and a liar. Defendant HECO claimed Scott had violated the Substance ABUSE Policy. Scott was a legal patient following the prescribed treatment plan from his medical team. Scott was not a criminal — nor an addict. Scott was not abusing any drug.

Most importantly, Scott came to Defendant HECO prior to being tested; asked to know the rules; and openly, honestly and ethically informed HECO's rep that he was medicating with cannabis.

Scott now told HECO he had stopped -- "cold turkey." Li and Tran apparently considered Scott to be a liar.

Scott requested HECO allow a DOT-sanctioned blood test — rather than the rudimentary urine screen. Urine screens detect THC-COOH, the by-product of Delta THC, which remains in the patient's fat stores sometimes for months. Defendant HECO refused to allow Scott to return until 100% of detectable THC-COOH was gone from his system.

A blood test accurately measures Delta THC cannabis, which remains in the blood for approximately 12–24 hours, and up to seven (7) days for heavy/frequent use. Scott would be able to return to work immediately.

Defendant HECO, Li and Tran denied the drug test accommodation — had to be a urine screen. No scientific or medical reason. At this point, Scott no longer believed these female Asian attorneys wanted Scott to return. Like the HCRC investigation, their offer appeared disingenuous.

Deceptively, HECO told HCRC a different story. HECO claimed they "undisputedly offered Goold a reasonable accommodation [urine test] and Goold undisputedly refused the offered accommodation (and then proposed an accommodation that would be no accommodation at all, as it would allow Goold to continue to use marijuana in violation of HECO's policies, state law, and DFWA)" (p19).

HECO believes THC-COOH in Scott's system presents an unacceptable danger to Scott's coworkers, the company and general public — although Scott had THC-COOH in his system at all relevant times during his six-month tenure with Hawaiian Electric. Scott's team said he was an all-star. Très dangereux!

Scott believes Defendant HECO set the bar at an unsafe and unreachable height — so they could slam the door shut on him:

From: Tran, Thao thao.tran@hawaiianelectric.com
Sent: Friday, May 3, 2019 12:16 PM
To: 'Joseph T. Rosenbaum'
Cc: 'Christina Michailidis'; 'Elizabeth Jubin Fujiwara'
Subject: RE: Scott Goold

Hi Joe:
Thank you for your email and the proposed counteroffer. This is to inform you that we reject your counteroffer and, as you know, our offer is off the table as the deadline to respond to that offer has passed.

As mentioned in my previous phone conversation with you, the Company is discovering on a regular basis Mr. Goold’s continued misrepresentation of, among others, our company’s relationship with him, which was never an employer-employee relationship. Mr. Goold was never an employee of the Company and was not terminated from our Company. The Company has concerns with such misrepresentations.

Thank you,
Thao

THAO T. TRAN
Senior Associate General Counsel

Hawaiian Electric
PO Box 2750 / Honolulu, HI 96840
O: 808.543.4644
E: thao.tran@hawaiianelectric.com

Notice of Political Action

With negotiations for return ended by Defendant HECO, Scott shifted direction. Scott had tried being nice — sugar usually is more effective than vinegar. But in Hawai'i, nice guys finish last — particularly White males.

Scott now believed he would never win back his job, so Scott decided to fight for all 25,000+ medical cannabis patients, including our nation's Veterans. Medical cannabis prohibition is killing our nation's heroes.

Scott meditated at Punchbowl — National Memorial Cemetary of the Pacific. It was time to take the gloves off.

CEO Connie Lau also chaired the Consuelo Foundation, which is a compassionate and caring philanthropic group. As Connie and her female team had not show Scott and other medical cannabis patients compassion, Scott began calls for Connie's resignation (RESIGN).

Scott wrote to media and offiicals, "Consuelo Zobel Alger believed in the principle that 'What matters in life are not great deeds but great love.' Connie boasts about her great deeds; she does not exhibit great love. She needs to step down."

Borrowing a phrase from the IT suspense-thriller movie, WarGames, Scott challenged public-regulated HECO and attorneys to a political duel: Want to play a game? (NOTICE)

In hindsight, it appears HECO underestimated Scott Goold. He has spent his life playing games ... basketball, and coaching women's volleyball and track. Scott would get up at 5:00 am; train 2-4 times per day sometimes up to eight hours; and never quit.

When Scott asked Thao Tran if she wanted to play, she likely didn't understand what that means to a competitor like Scott. Scott has not quit. He gets up each day and continues his political mission to change policy at publicly-regulated corporations like Hawaiian Electric, as well as across the islands.

The State of Hawai'i legalized medical cannabis in 2000; the state added anti-discriminatory protections in 2015, and over 90% of Americans support use. Cannabis is safer than opioids. Non-safety-sensitive employees who medicate legally in the privacy of their home do not pose a risk to management.

And, patients like Scott are willing to submit to a DOT-sanctioned blood test at any time on the job. Scott takes his work seriously. Scott's coworkers and manager testify to his readiness and proficiency for duty.

Hawaiian Electric has spent over four years trying to force Scott Goold to go away. Imagine what Scott could have done for Hawai'i ratepayers during this time. Heads should roll for wasting resources to squash Scott Goold.