Hawaiʻi County, Former Director Douglass Adams Fully Cleared in Hiring Lawsuit

A jury in the Third Circuit Court returned a verdict on Feb. 17, 2026 clearing the County of Hawaiʻi and former Research and Development Director Douglass Adams of all allegations in a lawsuit over the Hawaiʻi Island Film Commissioner hiring, finding plaintiff Freedman failed to prove any claim by a preponderance of the evidence. The civil suit was filed in 2023 and reached trial as a multi-day jury proceeding earlier this month.

The complaint named multiple causes of action, including employment discrimination under HRS § 378-2(a)(1) alleging age, sex (male) and sexual orientation discrimination, and aiding and abetting a discriminatory practice under HRS § 378-2(a)(3). The pleadings also asserted negligent infliction of emotional distress, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligent supervision as separate tort claims.

During trial the defense put forward documentation and testimony it said showed the recruitment and selection for the Hawaiʻi Island Film Commissioner position complied with established County procedures and State law. The jury agreed with the defense, concluding the plaintiff did not meet the civil standard of proof. Court filings and a jury verdict form have not yet been made public in the county clerk’s online docket as of this publication.

Mayor Kimo Alameda released a statement after the verdict praising the outcome for County hiring integrity. Alameda said, "This verdict is a definitive win for the integrity of our hiring practices and for the reputation of Director Douglass Adams," and added, "It is deeply gratifying to see the jury confirm that the selection process was based on legitimate, non-discriminatory criteria and that these serious accusations were entirely unfounded."

Local coverage and social posts framed the litigation as high-profile. One local outlet characterized the case as a "multi-year legal battle" that "sparked debate over County hiring practices and taxpayer-funded legal defenses" since its 2023 filing. Social engagement captured in one post showed 15 reactions and one comment on a Facebook item summarizing the verdict, while an Instagram repost recorded no comments at the time of capture.

Key factual gaps remain. The official civil case caption and docket number, the presiding judge’s name, whether the jury’s verdict was unanimous, any award of costs or attorney fees, the identity of the current Film Commissioner named in the selection process, and the total legal expenses borne by the County have not been disclosed. No statement from the plaintiff or plaintiff’s counsel has been reported, and no notice of appeal has been filed in the public record.

County Corporation Counsel records and Third Circuit Court filings will be requested to confirm the docket number, trial dates and the jury verdict form, and to determine whether the County will disclose legal costs paid from public funds. For now, the Feb. 17, 2026 verdict stands as a full jury exoneration of the County of Hawaiʻi and Douglass Adams in the Film Commissioner hiring dispute.