Wong-Leong v. Hawaiian Independent Refinery, Inc.
Hawai’i Supreme Court
76 Hawai'i 433, 879 P.2d 538 (1994)
- Written by Brian Meadors, JD
Facts
Joshua Rellamas worked for Hawaiian Independent Refinery, Inc. (HIRI) (defendant). Rellamas had recently received a promotion and celebrated with coworkers by having a party. Rellamas bought the alcohol, and the party was held on HIRI’s grounds, in a picnic area. HIRI did not allow drinking inside its worksite but did allow drinking at the adjacent picnic area. HIRI management was aware that these types of celebrations occurred frequently and had not stopped them. The celebrations boosted employee morale. Rellamas left the party under the influence of marijuana and alcohol. He crashed into a car carrying three passengers, killing himself and the three passengers. Beatrice Wong-Leong and Brian Sugimoto (plaintiffs) brought suit on the passengers’ behalf, arguing that HIRI was liable under the doctrine of respondeat superior. The trial court dismissed the case on HIRI’s summary judgment motion. Wong-Leong and Sugimoto appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Klein, J.)
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