Preventing Hazing in Hawaii: A Comprehensive Guide for Families

The gentle breezes and warm aloha spirit of Hawaii might seem a world away from the harsh realities of campus hazing. Yet, even amidst our beautiful islands, the challenges faced by students at universities across the nation–and indeed, right here at home–are very real. Imagine your child, a vibrant student from Honolulu or Maui, embarking on a new journey at the University of Hawaii at Manoa or perhaps heading to a mainland school in California or Texas. They sign up for a fraternity, a sorority, a club, or even a military organization, eager to build lifelong friendships and find their place. The initial excitement quickly turns to unease as requests become demands, and harmless fun escalates into something far more insidious. They are told to keep secrets, endure degrading tasks, or consume dangerous amounts of alcohol, all in the name of “tradition” or “earning their place.” They feel trapped, torn between loyalty to their new group and their own well-being, afraid to speak out lest they face humiliation or exclusion.

This harrowing scenario is not just a mainland problem; it can affect any student, anywhere, including those from our close-knit communities across Hawaii. Across the Pacific, even in states like Hawaii with fewer large Greek systems, our students travel for education, often finding themselves immersed in campus cultures where hazing lurks beneath the surface of camaraderie.

This comprehensive guide serves as your essential resource for understanding modern hazing practices, the legal landscape in Texas and beyond, and how to protect your loved ones. Designed specifically for families in Hawaii and across the nation, we aim to shed light on:

• What hazing truly looks like in 2025, far beyond outdated stereotypes.
• The critical legal frameworks, both state and federal, that govern hazing offenses.
• Invaluable lessons from major national cases, and how these precedents apply to students from Hawaii attending universities worldwide.
• Specific insights into hazing incidents and trends at prominent universities.
• Your legal options, rights, and actionable steps to seek justice and prevent future harm.

This article is intended to provide general information and education, not specific legal advice. If you suspect hazing or have been affected by it, The Manginello Law Firm is here to offer a confidential evaluation of your situation. We stand ready to serve families throughout Hawaii and across the United States.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES:

• If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

  • Call 911 for medical emergencies
  • Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
  • We provide immediate help – that’s why we’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™.

• In the first 48 hours:

  • Get medical attention immediately, even if the student insists they are “fine.”
  • Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
    • Screenshot group chats, texts, DMs immediately.
    • Photograph injuries from multiple angles.
    • Save physical items (clothing, receipts, objects).
  • Write down everything while memory is fresh (who, what, when, where).
  • Do NOT:
    • Confront the fraternity/sorority.
    • Sign anything from the university or insurance company.
    • Post details on public social media.
    • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence.

• Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours:

  • Evidence disappears fast (deleted group chats, destroyed paddles, coached witnesses).
  • Universities move quickly to control the narrative.
  • We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights.
  • Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like

For families in Hawaii, understanding what hazing truly entails in the modern era is crucial. It’s no longer just the outdated images of silly pranks portrayed in movies. Today’s hazing has evolved, often becoming more insidious, covert, and dangerous, driven by social media, a culture of secrecy, and a desperate desire to belong.

Clear, Modern Definition of Hazing

Hazing, in its essence, is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act to initiate, affiliate with, or maintain membership in any organization where the act is directed against a student and endangers their mental or physical health or safety.

It’s critical to understand that “I agreed to it” is not a valid defense for hazers. When acts are performed under duress, coercion, or within a power imbalance—which is inherent in almost all hazing scenarios—true consent is absent. The pressure to belong, to not “be the one to ruin it for everyone,” or to prove loyalty often overrides an individual’s free will, regardless of what they may verbally express.

Main Categories of Modern Hazing

Hazing manifests in various forms, often escalating through three tiers, progressing from subtle psychological manipulation to overt violence.

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing

Often dismissed by perpetrators as “harmless fun” or “tradition,” subtle hazing establishes a power imbalance and creates psychological distress. It lays the groundwork for more severe forms of hazing.

• Deception and Secrecy: Pledges are often instructed to lie to parents, faculty, or anyone outside the group about their activities. This creates a psychological barrier and reinforces loyalty to the hazing group over personal integrity.
• Requiring Menial Tasks: New members may be forced to perform errands, clean facilities, or serve older members at all hours. This isn’t about contribution but about asserting dominance and undermining personal time and dignity.
• Social Isolation: Pledges might be forbidden from interacting with non-members, or restricted in their social lives, isolating them from their usual support systems.
• Time Commitment & Sleep Deprivation: Mandatory late-night meetings, study hours, or tasks that infringe on academic responsibilities and deprive students of essential rest.
• Degrading Attire/Names: Forcing new members to wear embarrassing outfits, carry ridiculous items, or respond to demeaning nicknames further strips away their individuality and self-respect.
• Modern Digital Demands: This can involve constant monitoring of specialized group chats, demanding immediate responses at all hours, or requiring pledges to geo-share their location via apps.

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing

These behaviors cause emotional or physical discomfort and distress, though they may not always result in permanent physical injury. They are designed to create a hostile and often terrifying environment.

• Verbal Abuse and Threats: Constant yelling, screaming, insults, and demeaning language, sometimes accompanied by threats of physical violence or social exclusion.
• Forced Physical Exertion: Prolonged, intense exercises (“smokings”), sprints, push-ups, or other calisthenics that push physical limits unnecessarily and punitively.
• Food and Water Deprivation/Abuse: Limiting meals, forcing consumption of unpleasant or excessive amounts of food/drink (e.g., milk, hot sauce, pepper, spoiled food) until vomiting occurs.
• Public Humiliation: Forcing pledges to perform embarrassing acts in public spaces, often filmed and shared within the group. This can involve wearing humiliating costumes, performing bizarre acts, or enduring public ridicule.
• Exposure to Uncomfortable Conditions: Forcing pledges outdoors in extreme weather conditions with inadequate clothing, or making them endure filthy environments.

Tier 3: Violent Hazing

These are the most dangerous forms of hazing, carrying a high risk of severe physical injury, psychological trauma, sexual assault, or even death.

• Forced/Coerced Alcohol and Substance Consumption: This is the leading cause of hazing deaths. Pledges are coerced into drinking dangerous amounts of alcohol, often entire bottles of liquor, in a short period. This includes “Big/Little” rituals, drinking games that require rapid consumption, or being given unknown substances.
• Physical Beatings and Assaults: Paddling, punching, kicking, or other physical assaults. This can extend to “line-ups” where pledges are struck repeatedly.
• Sexualized Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sex acts, sexual assault, or forcing pledges to engage in sexually explicit or degrading behavior. This is a severe criminal act and should be reported immediately.
• Dangerous Stunts and Activities: Activities that involve inherent physical risk, such as being blindfolded and driven to remote locations, being forced to walk through dangerous areas, sleep deprivation leading to car accidents, or violent “games” like tackling.
• Branding or Body Marking: Creating permanent marks on new members through burns (with cigarettes or hot irons), tatoos, cutting, or other means.
• Kidnapping and Transport: Abducting pledges, often blindfolded, and leaving them in remote or unfamiliar locations, forcing them to find their way back.

Where Hazing Actually Happens

The scope of hazing extends far beyond what many Hawaii families might traditionally associate with Greek life. While often linked to fraternities and sororities, hazing can infiltrate almost any campus organization.

• Fraternities and Sororities: This remains the most visible arena for hazing, across Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and multicultural Greek organizations.
• Athletic Teams: From college football and basketball to swimming, track, and even club sports, hazing can be prevalent, often rationalized as “team bonding” or “toughening up.” The Northwestern University football scandal highlighted how deeply ingrained it can be in major collegiate athletic programs.
• Military-Style Organizations: Groups like the Corps of Cadets, ROTC units, or informal military clubs are sometimes perceived as contexts where “discipline” can blur into hazing, leading to physical and psychological abuse under the guise of training.
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups: Even seemingly benign organizations such as marching bands, drama clubs, or debate teams can engage in hazing rituals, often involving physical discomfort, humiliation, or forced consumption. Robert Champion’s death in the Florida A&M marching band remains a stark reminder.
• Spirit Squads and Tradition Groups: At many universities, campus spirit organizations or other tradition-bearing groups engage in practices that cross the line into hazing, often pushing physical and emotional limits.

At its core, hazing persists due to a dangerous combination of social status, ingrained traditions, and a code of silence that protects perpetrators while silencing victims. It exploits the desire to belong, transforming it into a vulnerability that enables abuse.

Law & Liability Framework (Texas + Federal)

Understanding the legal landscape surrounding hazing is crucial for families in Hawaii. While Hawaii may have its own laws related to assault or reckless endangerment, families often send their children to mainland universities, making it imperative to understand the laws that govern those institutions, such as Texas’s robust anti-hazing framework and relevant federal regulations.

Texas Hazing Law Basics (Education Code)

Texas has clear and comprehensive laws explicitly addressing hazing, primarily outlined in the Texas Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F (Hazing). These laws are designed to hold both individuals and organizations accountable, providing a critical layer of protection for students.

Under Texas law, hazing is generally defined as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act occurring on or off campus, by one person alone or with others, directed against a student, that:

• Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student; and
• Occurs for the purpose of pledging, initiation into, affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members include students.

This definition is intentionally broad to cover various forms of abuse:

• Endangering Mental or Physical Health: This includes not only physical harm (like beatings, forced exercise, or forced consumption of alcohol/drugs) but also severe psychological distress (such as extreme humiliation, intimidation, or social isolation).
• Intent or Recklessness: It’s not necessary to prove malicious intent. If hazers acted with knowing or reckless disregard for a student’s safety or well-being, the act can be classified as hazing.
• On or Off Campus: The law explicitly clarifies that hazing is prohibited regardless of where it occurs, removing the common loophole of moving activities off-campus to avoid university oversight or legal repercussions.
• “Consent” is Not a Defense: Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states that a victim’s perceived consent is not a defense to hazing prosecution. This acknowledges the inherent power dynamics and pressure involved in hazing.

Criminal Penalties for Hazing in Texas:

• Class B Misdemeanor: Most hazing offenses, carrying penalties of up to 180 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,000.
• Class A Misdemeanor: If the hazing causes bodily injury to another person, the penalty increases to up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $4,000.
• State Jail Felony: If the hazing causes serious bodily injury or death, the offense is elevated to a state jail felony, carrying a range of six months to two years in a state jail facility, in addition to fines.

Beyond direct participation, the law also targets those who enable hazing:

• Failure to Report: Any student, faculty member, or university employee who witnesses or has firsthand knowledge of hazing has a duty to report it. Failure to do so can result in a fine of up to $1,000.
• Retaliation: Retaliating against someone who reports hazing is also a criminal offense.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Avenues for Justice

It’s vital for Hawaii families to understand that hazing incidents can lead to two distinct, yet often intertwined, legal processes: criminal and civil cases.

• Criminal Cases: These are brought by the state (prosecutors) to punish illegal acts. In hazing scenarios, criminal charges might include hazing offenses, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, sexual assault, or, in tragic cases, even aggravated assault, negligent homicide, or manslaughter. The goal is to enforce public laws and deter future misconduct through fines, jail time, and probation for individuals, and fines or organizational bans for groups.

• Civil Cases: These are initiated by victims or their families, seeking monetary compensation for the harm suffered. Unlike criminal cases, which focus on punishment, civil lawsuits aim to secure financial recovery to cover medical expenses, lost income, pain, and suffering. Civil actions often rely on legal theories such as:

  • Negligence/Gross Negligence: Arguing that individuals, chapters, nationals, or universities failed in their duty to protect students, leading to harm.
  • Wrongful Death: Filed by the surviving family members when hazing leads to a fatality.
  • Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: For severe psychological harm.
  • Assault and Battery: For physical abuse.
  • Premises Liability: If hazing occurred on property where the owner failed to provide a safe environment.

Critically, a criminal conviction is not a prerequisite for pursuing a civil lawsuit. Even if criminal charges are not filed or do not result in a conviction, victims can still seek justice and compensation through the civil courts. Both types of cases can proceed simultaneously, offering multiple avenues for accountability.

Federal Overlay: Safeguarding Students Nationwide

Beyond state laws, several federal regulations add layers of protection and accountability for universities, impacting students from Hawaii attending institutions across the U.S.

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This landmark federal legislation mandates greater transparency and enforcement regarding hazing on college campuses. Among its key requirements, institutions receiving federal funding must:

  • Publicly Report Hazing Violations: Create a public database of all hazing violations and disciplinary actions, including details of the offending organization and the nature of the misconduct.
  • Strengthen Hazing Prevention Education: Implement robust educational programs for students, faculty, and staff, clearly defining hazing and its consequences.
  • Review and Update Policies: Ensure their anti-hazing policies are comprehensive and effectively enforced.
    This act, rolling out fully by early 2026, aims to improve data collection and ensure that parents and students can make more informed decisions about campus organizations.

• Title IX: This federal civil rights law prohibits sex-based discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. When hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, forced nudity, or gender-based hostility, Title IX is directly implicated. Universities have a legal obligation to investigate such incidents promptly and thoroughly, protect victims, and prevent recurrence. Failure to do so can lead to significant federal sanctions and civil lawsuits.

• Clery Act: The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act requires colleges and universities to disclose information about crime on and around their campuses. While hazing is not always a direct Clery crime, hazing incidents often involve other reportable offenses such as assault, sexual offenses, underage drinking violations, or drug abuse violations. This means institutions must report these incidents, contributing to a broader understanding of campus safety issues.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

In civil hazing litigation, the search for accountability cast a wide net, encompassing multiple parties that may bear responsibility for the harm caused. Hawaii families seeking justice need to understand who could be held liable:

• Individual Student Perpetrators: Any student who actively participates in, orchestrates, or facilitates hazing can be held personally liable for their actions. This includes those who inflict physical harm, coerce consumption, or engage in psychological manipulation.
• Local Chapter/Organization: The specific chapter of a fraternity, sorority, club, or team itself can be sued as a legal entity. Chapters often bear direct responsibility for acts committed under their banner, especially if leaders were aware of or encouraged the hazing.
• National Fraternity/Sorority Organizations: These larger, national bodies often set policies, provide training, and oversee local chapters. They can be held liable if they:
  • Failed to adequately supervise the local chapter.
  • Knew, or should have known, about hazing patterns within their organization (either at that specific chapter or across multiple chapters nationally) and failed to intervene effectively.
  • Had a “reckless disregard” for the welfare of new members due to a history of similar incidents.
• Universities and Colleges: Institutions of higher education can face liability under various legal theories, including:
  • Negligent Supervision: Failing to adequately monitor or control student organizations despite knowing about hazing risks.
  • Failure to Enforce Policies: Having anti-hazing policies but not enforcing them consistently or effectively.
  • Deliberate Indifference: In cases involving Title IX, if the university knew about severe sex-based hazing and showed clear indifference to addressing it.
  • Sovereign Immunity (Public Universities): Public universities, such as the University of Hawaii at Manoa, often have a degree of sovereign immunity, which can make suing them more complex than private institutions. However, exceptions exist for gross negligence, willful misconduct, or when suing individual employees in their personal capacity.
• Advisors, Coaches, or Faculty Sponsors: Individuals in supervisory roles who were aware of hazing or should have been, but failed to prevent it, might also be named as defendants.
• Property Owners/Landlords: If hazing occurs on private property (e.g., an off-campus house, Airbnb, or event venue), the owner could potentially face liability if they were aware of dangerous activities and failed to take reasonable steps to prevent harm.
• Alcohol Providers: Businesses or individuals who illegally provide alcohol to minors, especially if it directly contributes to a hazing incident, can be liable under dram shop laws or social host liability.

Determining who is liable requires a deep dive into the specific facts of each case, including who knew what, when, and what actions were taken (or not taken). This multi-faceted approach aims to ensure that all accountable parties are held responsible for the harm caused.

National Hazing Case Patterns (Anchor Stories)

To truly understand the gravity of hazing and its legal consequences, families in Hawaii need to look beyond our islands to the national landscape. Recurring patterns of abuse and institutional failures have led to tragic outcomes, shaping hazing laws and strengthening victim rights across the United States. These anchor cases demonstrate not only the devastating human cost but also the legal strategies that hold individuals and powerful institutions accountable.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death: A Repeating Tragedy

Forced alcohol consumption remains the deadliest form of hazing. Time and again, new members are pressured to drink to extreme levels, often with fatal consequences.

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State University, Beta Theta Pi (2017): In a case that shocked the nation, 19-year-old Timothy Piazza died after consuming a dangerous amount of alcohol during a “bid acceptance” event. Over 12 hours, he fell multiple times, sustaining severe head injuries, while fraternity members delayed calling 911 for crucial hours. The horrifying events were captured on the fraternity’s own security cameras, revealing a callous disregard for his life. This led to dozens of criminal charges against fraternity members, intense civil litigation, and the passing of the landmark Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania. The case exposed the brutal reality of extreme intoxication, the institutional failure to intervene, and a pervasive culture of silence and cover-ups.

• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Andrew Coffey, a 20-year-old pledge, died from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night” ritual. Pledges were given handles of hard liquor and pressured to consume them quickly. Andrew was found unresponsive the next morning. His death resulted in criminal hazing charges against multiple members and prompted Florida State University to suspend all Greek activities, triggering wider anti-hazing reforms across Florida. This case underscored how “tradition” is often used to justify dangerous and formulaic drinking events that repeatedly end in tragedy.

• Maxwell “Max” Gruver – Louisiana State University, Phi Delta Theta (2017): Max Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman, died after a “Bible study” hazing ritual where pledges were forced to drink excessive amounts of liquor for answering questions incorrectly. His blood-alcohol content was nearly six times the legal limit. Gruver’s death led to the enactment of the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana, a felony hazing law that increased penalties for hazing that results in serious injury or death. This case highlights how legislative change often follows public outrage and clear evidence of systematic abuse. The chapter was charged with negligent homicide and Max’s family eventually secured a multi-million-dollar judgment.

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Stone Foltz, a 20-year-old pledge, died after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” event. He passed out and was left unattended. His death led to multiple criminal convictions for hazing-related offenses and a landmark civil settlement where Bowling Green State University agreed to pay nearly $3 million, and the Pi Kappa Alpha national fraternity contributed a substantial undisclosed amount to the family. This case further reinforced that institutions, even public ones, can face significant financial and reputational consequences for failing to prevent hazing. His parents relentlessly advocated for Collin’s Law: The Anti-Hazing Act in Ohio, making hazing a felony when alcohol or drugs cause physical or mental harm.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing: Beyond Alcohol

While alcohol is a prominent factor, hazing also involves severe physical and psychological abuse, often under the guise of “tradition.”

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): Michael Deng, a 19-year-old pledge, died during a fraternity retreat in the Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania. He was blindfolded, forced to carry a heavy backpack, and repeatedly tackled in a ritual called “the glass ceiling.” His injuries were severe, but fraternity members delayed calling 911 for an hour, attempting a cover-up before seeking medical help. Multiple members were convicted of crimes, and in a groundbreaking legal move, the national fraternity itself was criminally convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter, subsequently banned from Pennsylvania for a decade. This case proved that off-campus hazing retreats are not immune to justice and national organizations bear direct responsibility.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Hazing is not exclusive to Greek life; it is deeply embedded in some athletic programs, where the pursuit of “toughness” can morph into abuse.

• Northwestern University Football Scandal (2023–2025): A series of shocking allegations surfaced, detailing widespread sexualized and racist hazing within the prestigious Northwestern football program over several years. Former players described “locker room rituals” that were deeply humiliating and involved non-consensual acts. This led to the firing of long-time head coach Pat Fitzgerald, who later settled a wrongful-termination lawsuit confidentially. Multiple players filed lawsuits against the university and staff. This case highlighted that hazing permeates even high-profile athletic departments and raises critical questions about institutional oversight.

What These Cases Mean for Hawaii Families

These national tragedies send vital messages to parents and students in Hawaii:

• Foreseeability: The repeated nature of these incidents across different campuses and organizations means hazing is rarely an “unforeseeable accident.” Institutions and national organizations often have knowledge of these dangerous patterns but fail to act decisively.
• Systemic Issues: Hazing is seldom the act of a single “bad apple.” It is often sustained by deeply entrenched organizational cultures, a code of silence, and inadequate oversight from national bodies and universities.
• Legal Accountability: These cases demonstrate that victims and their families have powerful legal avenues to pursue justice. Multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts are increasingly common, forcing institutions to confront their roles in preventing abuse.
• Legislative Change: The pain of these families has driven significant changes in state laws, closing loopholes and increasing penalties for hazing, which provides stronger legal recourse.

For students from Hawaii attending universities, understanding these precedents is empowering. It means that should hazing occur, there is a path to holding those responsible accountable, drawing on lessons hard-learned from tragedies across the country.

Universities: Hawaii and the Neighboring Islands

For families residing in Hawaii, the local educational landscape and the universities across our islands hold unique significance. While the scale of Greek life and certain forms of hazing might differ from large mainland institutions, the principles of student safety, well-being, and accountability remain paramount. It is crucial to understand the policies and cultural nuances of institutions within our own state.

University of Hawaii at Manoa

The flagship campus of the University of Hawaii System, located in the heart of Honolulu, is a diverse and vibrant institution. Many local families from Oahu and the Neighbor Islands send their children here, making it a central pillar of our community’s educational life.

Campus & Culture Snapshot

UH Manoa hosts a diverse student body, offering a wide array of academic programs and extracurricular activities. While not as dominant as on some mainland campuses, Greek life at UH Manoa has a presence, alongside numerous student clubs, athletic teams, and cultural organizations. The campus culture emphasizes academic achievement, cultural diversity, and community engagement within a unique Pacific island context.

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

The University of Hawaii System maintains a clear Anti-Hazing Policy, which applies to all campuses, including Manoa. It explicitly prohibits any activity that could be considered hazing, emphasizing:

• Broad Definition: Hazing includes any act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, admission, affiliation, or continued membership in an organization.
• Zero Tolerance: The policy outlines a strict prohibition against hazing, emphasizing the university’s commitment to student well-being.
• Reporting Mechanisms: Students are encouraged to report hazing through channels such as the Office of Student Conduct, Faculty/Staff, Campus Security, or anonymous reporting hotlines.

Documented Incidents & Responses

Like any university, UH Manoa has faced its share of student conduct issues. While specific historical hazing incidents with severe injury or death have not garnered widespread public attention in the same manner as some mainland cases, the university has, like many others, addressed violations of its Student Conduct Code that may encompass hazing-like behaviors. These typically involve organizational sanctions, suspensions, or requirements for educational programming.

• General Disciplinary Trends: University systems often handle a range of misconduct, including alcohol-related violations, inappropriate initiation activities, or conflicts within student organizations. These types of incidents, even if not explicitly labeled “hazing” in initial public reports, often fall under the broader anti-hazing policy.

How a UH Manoa Hazing Case Might Proceed

A civil hazing case stemming from an incident at UH Manoa would involve a unique legal landscape. As a public university of the State of Hawaii, the University of Hawaii System benefits from a degree of sovereign immunity, which can make suing the institution directly more challenging than suing a private university. However, this immunity is not absolute and does not protect individual perpetrators or, in certain circumstances, university employees who act with gross negligence or willful disregard.

• Involved Agencies: The University of Hawaii at Manoa Department of Public Safety (UHM DPS) would typically investigate on-campus incidents, potentially collaborating with the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) if criminal activity is suspected.
• Civil Jurisdiction: Civil lawsuits would generally be filed in the First Circuit Court of Hawaii, which covers Oahu.
• Potential Defendants: In a civil suit, potential defendants could include individual students involved, the local chapter of any student organization (if it has a separate legal entity), and potentially the national organization if it’s a Greek or national club. Claims against the University itself would need to navigate sovereign immunity, potentially focusing on exceptions for gross negligence or Title IX violations.

What UH Manoa Students & Parents Should Do

For students and families in Hawaii attending UH Manoa, proactive measures and timely action are crucial:

• Familiarize with Policies: Actively review and understand the University of Hawaii Manoa’s Student Conduct Code and Anti-Hazing Policy, available on the university website.
• Document Everything: If hazing is suspected, immediately document all relevant details: dates, times, locations, individuals involved, specific acts, and any physical or emotional toll. Screenshots of digital communications are vital.
• Prioritize Safety: If a student is in immediate danger or facing serious medical risk, call 911 immediately.
• Report Concerns: Use the university’s designated reporting channels, such as the Office of Student Conduct or Campus Security. Families can also utilize the anonymous National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE).
• Seek Legal Counsel: For any serious hazing incident resulting in significant harm, consulting with an attorney experienced in hazing law—even if primarily based on the mainland—is essential. An attorney can advise on rights, potential claims against the university and other parties, and how to navigate the complexities of sovereign immunity.

Beyond Oahu: Neighbor Island Universities

While UH Manoa is the largest and most well-known, Hawaii’s neighbor islands also host university campuses, where students from across the state and beyond seek higher education. These institutions, too, have policies and cultures that parents should be aware of.

University of Hawaii at Hilo

Located on the Big Island, UH Hilo offers a smaller, more intimate campus experience. Its student body includes many local students alongside those from mainland U.S. and international locations.

• Campus Culture: Emphasis on interdisciplinary studies, cultural diversity, and Pacific-focused research. Greek life exists but is typically on a smaller scale than Manoa.
• Policies: Guided by the overarching University of Hawaii System Anti-Hazing Policy.
• Jurisdiction: Local law enforcement (Hawaii County Police Department) and the Third Circuit Court of Hawaii would be involved in criminal and civil matters.

University of Hawaii Maui College (UHMC)

Based in Kahului, Maui, UHMC serves a vital role for Maui residents, offering bachelor’s degrees and associate’s programs.

• Campus Culture: Strong focus on vocational and community-based education, with a close-knit student body. Organized student groups may still have social activities that could, if unchecked, lead to hazing.
• Policies: Adheres to the University of Hawaii System Anti-Hazing Policy.
• Jurisdiction: Maui Police Department and the Second Circuit Court of Hawaii.

Families from Hawaii, whether their children study on Oahu, Maui, the Big Island, or elsewhere on the Neighbor Islands, face the same need for vigilance against hazing. Understanding both local campus policies and the broader legal context (including mainland laws if their student attends school there) is key to ensuring their safety and future.

Fraternities & Sororities: Campus-Specific + National Histories

For Hawaii families, it’s imperative to understand that hazing patterns often transcend local chapters, reflecting a national organizational culture that sometimes allows or inadvertently fosters dangerous rituals. The behavior of local chapters in Hawaii (or wherever your child attends university) cannot be viewed in isolation; it is frequently linked to the broader history and practices of their national organizations.

Why National Histories Matter

Most fraternities and sororities recognized at universities, including those with smaller presences at the University of Hawaii campuses or those heavily present at mainland schools Hawaii families attend, are part of larger national organizations. These national headquarters:

• Develop the policies, rules, and risk management guidelines that local chapters are supposed to follow.
• Collect dues and fees from local chapters and their members.
• Often provide training and support to local chapter leadership and advisors.
• Crucially, they often have extensive histories of hazing incidents across their network of chapters, resulting in significant injuries, deaths, and multi-million-dollar lawsuits.

When a local chapter engages in dangerous behavior—whether at UH Manoa or a large Texas university—and that behavior mirrors incidents that have occurred at other chapters of the same national organization, it demonstrates a crucial legal concept: foreseeability. It means the national organization knew, or should have known, about the potential for such harm but failed to adequately prevent it. This foreknowledge strengthens arguments for national organizational liability in civil lawsuits.

Organization Mapping: Local Presence with National Implications

While Hawaii’s Greek system is smaller than on the mainland, local chapters often connect to national bodies with extensive histories. Even organizations not explicitly located in Hawaii will be included given the typical out-of-state attendance of Hawaii’s students. When your child from Hawaii joins a fraternity or sorority, they are not just joining a campus group; they are becoming part of a national legacy that may include a troubling history of hazing.

Here, we outline some key Greek organizations (IRS NTEE Code B83) present in Hawaii and those from the documented database that have notable national hazing histories with severe outcomes like those discussed previously. This combination highlights both local context and the broader risks faced by Hawaii students attending universities wherever these organizations thrive.

Greek Organizations with Hawaii Addresses:

Even with a smaller Greek life footprint, specific national organizations maintain a presence or ties here in Hawaii. For families looking for information specific to our islands:

• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC (EIN: 83-2788904 | HONOLULU, HI)
  • Alpha Sigma Phi is a national fraternity with chapters across the United States. Its presence in Honolulu indicates active student engagement within Hawaii’s university system. Nationally, fraternities of this scale regularly confront challenges related to member conduct and adherence to anti-hazing policies. While we are NOT alleging that this specific Hawaii chapter has engaged in hazing, parents should be aware that many national fraternities have faced hazing-related incidents elsewhere, underscoring the importance of diligent research into any organization a child considers joining.
• PI LAMBDA THETA – HAWAII CHAPTER (EIN: 81-4313730 | HONOLULU, HI)
  • This organization, located in Honolulu, is an IRS-registered student Greek organization. The nature of its activities within the Hawaii context would typically involve academic or achievement-based goals. While we are NOT alleging that this specific Hawaii chapter has engaged in hazing, parents should be aware of the importance of vetting any student organization, regardless of its primary mission, to ensure it aligns with safe and respectful conduct guidelines.
• THE HONOLULU ALUMNI CHAPTER (EIN: 23-7279487 | HONOLULU, HI)
  • An alumni chapter presence in Honolulu typically serves as a support network for graduated members. While their activities might support active college chapters, their primary function isn’t direct student pledging. We are NOT alleging that this specific Hawaii chapter has engaged in hazing, but their existence highlights the enduring ties residents of Hawaii have with national Greek systems.
• COSMOPOLITAN CHAPTER NO 1 ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR PHA (EIN: 27-2154927 | PEARL CITY, HI)
  • This organization, located in Pearl City, is listed with the IRS as a Greek B83 organization, indicating an affiliation akin to fraternities or sororities within the student or fraternal sphere. While we are NOT alleging that this specific Hawaii chapter has engaged in hazing, its presence underscores the diversity of student and fraternal groups active in Hawaii. Prospective members and families should always inquire about the new membership process, emphasizing transparency and alignment with university anti-hazing policies.

Greek Life at Regional Universities: Where Hawaii Families Send Their Children

Many students from Hawaii attend universities across the Western U.S., including California, Oregon, and Washington, as well as renowned universities throughout the United States. When discussing Greek life, it’s essential to consider the major fraternities and sororities that operate on these mainland campuses. For example, Hawaii families send children to University of California campuses (e.g., UC Berkeley, UCLA), where Greek life can be substantial and national organizations are heavily involved in campus social structures. The University of Washington in Seattle and Oregon State University also host significant Greek communities with numerous active chapters. Further afield, major university systems in Texas (like the University of Houston or University of Texas at Austin) and Florida (Florida State, University of Florida) have extensive Greek programs, often with their own histories of hazing incidents that require diligent family investigation.

Complete Hawaii Greek Organization Directory

Attorney911 tracks every IRS-registered Greek organization in Hawaii. For full transparency, here is a complete directory of organizations within Hawaii that are classified under NTEE Code B83 (Student Sororities, Fraternities) by the IRS:

• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 83-2788904 | HONOLULU, HI 96822-2205
• PI LAMBDA THETA – HAWAII CHAPTER | EIN: 81-4313730 | HONOLULU, HI 96822-2463
• THE HONOLULU ALUMNI CHAPTER | EIN: 23-7279487 | HONOLULU, HI 96818-3179
• COSMOPOLITAN CHAPTER NO 1 ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR PHA | EIN: 27-2154927 | PEARL CITY, HI 96782-9071

Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, Strategy

For families in Hawaii facing the devastating impact of hazing, the path to justice involves meticulously building a legal case. This process is complex, demanding a deep understanding of evidence collection, damage assessment, and strategic litigation against often formidable institutional opponents. Attorney911 approaches these cases with precision and an unwavering commitment to accountability.

The Power of Evidence in Hazing Cases

In modern hazing litigation, evidence is paramount. Unlike past eras where hazing was often denied due to lack of proof, digital technology now generates a massive trail of potential evidence. However, this evidence must be collected, preserved, and presented effectively.

• Digital Communications (The Most Critical Category): In 2025, virtually all hazing is planned, documented, or discussed through digital channels. These are often the “smoking gun” that proves hazing occurred.

  • Group Messaging Apps: Platforms like GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Signal, Telegram, Discord, and even fraternity/sorority-specific apps are treasure troves. Screenshots showing entire conversations, timestamps, and participant names are crucial. Special attention must be paid to ephemeral messages that disappear quickly, requiring immediate capture.
  • Social Media Evidence: Instagram DMs, Snapchat stories, TikTok videos, Facebook posts, and even private group chats can reveal hazing in action, or show members discussing or planning events. Location tags, captions, and the context of these posts can be vital.
  • Text Messages and DMs: Direct communications between members or pledges can show coercion, instructions, or threats.
  • Recovered/Deleted Messages: Digital forensics experts can often recover deleted messages from phones, cloud backups, or server data, making attempts to hide evidence ultimately futile in many cases.

• Photos & Videos:

  • Member-Generated Content: Hazers often film their activities, either for “memories” or to prove completion of tasks. This internal content, whether shared in private chats or even briefly on public stories, is incredibly powerful.
  • Surveillance Footage: Security cameras (on campus, at private residences with Ring doorbells, or at commercial venues) can capture entry/exit, or even the events themselves.
  • Injury Documentation: High-quality photos and videos of physical injuries, taken immediately and over time to show progression, are essential medical evidence.

• Internal Organization Documents:

  • Pledge Manuals/Handbooks: These often outline official (and sometimes unofficial) expectations for new members.
  • Chapter Communications: Emails, meeting minutes, or internal documents that plan or discuss “new member education” can reveal hidden hazing.
  • National Policies: National fraternity/sorority anti-hazing policies are crucial. When local chapters violate these, it increases national liability.
  • Judicial/Conduct Records: Records from previous years detailing hazing at the same chapter (or others in the national organization) prove a pattern of behavior and foreknowledge.

• University Records:

  • Prior Conduct Files: Official records detailing previous hazing violations, probations, or suspensions of the offending organization. Obtaining these can be complex for public universities due to sovereign immunity, but our firm knows how to navigate these challenges.
  • Incident Reports: Reports filed with campus police, student conduct offices, or Title IX offices.
  • Clery Act Reports: Public safety reports that can show patterns of alcohol violations, assaults, or other crimes often associated with hazing.
  • Internal Communications: Emails and memos among university administrators can reveal what they knew and when.

• Medical and Psychological Records:

  • Emergency Room & Hospital Records: Detailed accounts of injuries, toxicology reports (alcohol/drug levels), and medical assessments. Crucially, explicitly stating “hazing” as the cause of injury in these records is vital.
  • Ongoing Treatment Records: Notes from physical therapists, specialists, psychiatrists, or psychologists document the long-term physical and mental health impacts of hazing, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety.

• Witness Testimony:

  • Other Pledges: Fellow new members who experienced the same hazing.
  • Former Members: Those who left the organization due to hazing.
  • Bystanders: Anyone who witnessed the events.
  • Experts: Medical professionals, psychologists, accident reconstructionists, and experts on Greek life and fraternal culture can provide crucial context and analysis.

Attorney911’s video on using your phone to document evidence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs) explains best practices for preserving screenshots and photos.

Damages: Quantifying the Incalculable Harm

When hazing causes injury or death, the financial compensation sought in a civil lawsuit aims to cover all losses, both economic and non-economic. This isn’t about making a profit; it’s about making the victim (or their family) whole again and ensuring future care.

• Medical Bills & Future Care: This includes all costs associated with immediate emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgeries, ongoing rehabilitation, medications, and long-term care needs (especially in cases of catastrophic brain injuries). For children needing lifetime care, this can involve creating a “life care plan” to estimate future expenses.

• Lost Income / Educational Impact: This covers lost wages if the victim or a parent had to miss work, as well as the long-term impact on earning capacity if the injuries result in permanent disability or a delay in career progression. It also accounts for lost tuition, missed scholarships, or delayed graduation due to the hazing.

• Non-Economic Damages: These intangible losses are often the most profound:

  • Physical Pain & Suffering: Past, present, and future pain from the injuries.
  • Emotional Distress & Psychological Harm: The deep trauma, humiliation, anxiety, depression, and PTSD that often follow hazing. These are validated through psychiatric evaluations and therapy.
  • Loss of Enjoyment of Life: The inability to participate in hobbies, social activities, or pursue life goals as a result of the haz injuries.

• Wrongful Death Damages (for Families): In cases of fatality, families can seek compensation for funeral expenses, the loss of their child’s financial contribution, and the profound grief, loss of companionship, and emotional distress suffered by parents, siblings, and other dependents.

Strategy: Unlocking Justice for Hawaii Families

Hazing cases are rarely straightforward. They involve complex legal and factual issues, often against well-funded defendants intent on minimizing their liability. Our strategy is built on experience, meticulous preparation, and creative legal thinking.

• Identifying All Liable Parties: We thoroughly investigate to identify every individual student, local chapter, national organization, university, advisor, or property owner who may share responsibility. This comprehensive approach is crucial for maximizing recovery and ensuring broad accountability.
• Navigating Institutional Defenses: Universities, especially public ones like those in Hawaii, often invoke sovereign immunity. Our firm is adept at navigating these defenses, seeking exceptions, or pursuing claims against individual employees. For private universities, we confront their legal teams head-on.
• Confronting Insurance Companies: Many defendants are covered by insurance policies. Our firm, with Lupe Peña’s insider knowledge as a former insurance defense attorney (https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/), understands how these companies operate. We anticipate their tactics, refute their arguments about “intentional acts” (which insurers try to exclude), and aggressively pursue the maximum coverage available. This experience is vital in securing fair settlements.
• Expert Witness Network: We collaborate with a network of specialists – medical doctors, psychologists, digital forensics experts, economists (to calculate future losses), and experts in campus safety and fraternal culture – to build a robust, evidence-backed case.
• Settlement vs. Trial: While many cases settle (often confidentially) before trial, we prepare every case as if it will go to court. This readiness signals to defense attorneys and insurance companies that we are serious, often leading to more favorable settlements. However, if a trial is necessary to achieve justice, we are ready to fight aggressively.
• Holding Individuals Accountable: Beyond institutional liability, we pursue individual hazers both criminally (through collaboration with law enforcement) and civilly, underscoring that personal actions have severe consequences.

Building a hazing case is not just about financial compensation; it’s about exposing systemic problems, forcing institutional reform, and creating a legacy of prevention in honor of the victims. For families in Hawaii, seeking justice may mean navigating a world far from our island homes, but the principles of accountability remain universal.

Practical Guides & FAQs

For parents and students in Hawaii, navigating the complexities of hazing can feel overwhelming. This section provides immediate, actionable guidance, whether you’re trying to identify hazing, respond to an incident, or understand your legal rights.

For Parents in Hawaii: Recognizing & Responding to Hazing

Vigilance is your first line of defense. Pay close attention to changes in your child’s behavior, physical condition, and academic performance, especially during typical “new member” periods.

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed

• Physical Changes:
  • Unexplained bruises, cuts, burns, or injuries, especially if the explanations seem vague or inconsistent.
  • Extreme fatigue, chronic sleep deprivation, or exhaustion.
  • Sudden changes in eating habits, weight loss or gain.
  • Signs of alcohol poisoning or drug use, even for non-drinkers.
• Behavioral & Emotional Shifts:
  • Increased secrecy about organization activities (“I can’t talk about it,” “It’s a secret”).
  • Withdrawal from family, old friends, or non-group activities.
  • Noticeable personality changes: becoming anxious, irritable, depressed, unusually quiet, or hostile.
  • Defensiveness or anger when asked about the group.
  • Fear of “getting in trouble” with the group if activities are discussed.
  • Expressions like “I just have to get through this,” or “Everyone else did it.”
• Academic Red Flags:
  • Significant drop in grades.
  • Missing classes or assignments.
  • Prioritizing group activities over academic responsibilities.
• Financial Concerns:
  • Unusual requests for money, or unexplained expenses beyond regular dues, particularly for items or services for older members.
  • Signs of excessive spending on alcohol for group events.
• Digital/Social Behavior:
  • Constant need to check their phone, especially for group chats, creating anxiety around notifications.
  • Sudden deletion of social media accounts or messages.
  • Reluctance to show you their phone or explain their online interactions.

How to Talk to Your Child

Approach the conversation with empathy and without judgment. Your goal is to create a safe space for them to open up.

• Start with open-ended questions: “How are things going with [group name]? Are you enjoying it?”
• Express concern for their well-being, not accusations: “You seem tired lately; everything okay?”
• Reassure them that their safety and health are your top priority, above any group loyalty.
• Emphasize that you will support them regardless of their decision related to the group.

What to Do If You Suspect Hazing

1. Prioritize Safety: If your child is in immediate danger, intoxicated, or seriously injured, call 911 immediately. Their health and safety override any concerns about disciplinary action against the group or themselves.
2. Document Everything: If your child confides in you, or you observe signs, meticulously document details: dates, times, locations, individuals involved, specific acts, and any emotional or physical consequences. Screenshot all digital evidence (texts, group chats, photos).
3. Preserve Physical Evidence: If physical items are related to the hazing (e.g., damaged clothing, humiliating props), keep them. Take photos of any injuries as they heal.
4. Contact an Attorney: Even if you’re unsure about pursuing a lawsuit, a confidential consultation with an experienced hazing attorney is crucial. They can advise you on preserving evidence, understanding your rights, and navigating reporting options without compromising a potential case.

For Students / Pledges: Self-Assessment & Safety Planning

If you are a student in Hawaii or on the mainland and you suspect you might be experiencing hazing, know that you are not alone, and help is available.

Is This Hazing or Just “Tradition”? A Decision Guide

Ask yourself these critical questions:

• Am I being forced or pressured to do something I don’t truly want to do?
• Would I do this activity if there were no social consequences for refusing?
• Does this activity feel unsafe, degrading, humiliating, or illegal?
• Would I be ashamed if my family or a professor knew exactly what I was doing?
• Are older members making me do things they don’t have to do themselves?
• Am I being told to keep secrets or lie about these activities?
• Am I experiencing sleep deprivation, extreme fatigue, or constant anxiety because of group demands?

If you answered YES to any of these questions, you are likely experiencing hazing, regardless of what the group calls it. Remember, consent is not a defense in hazing laws because true consent cannot be given under duress.

How to Exit Safely and Report Hazing

1. Prioritize Your Safety: If you are ever in immediate danger, feel your health is at risk, or witness a medical emergency, call 911 immediately. Most universities and state laws (including Hawaii’s good-faith reporting protections) offer amnesty or reduced penalties for students who call for help in an emergency, even if underage drinking or other violations are involved.
2. Confide in a Trusted Adult: Speak to a parent, a trusted professor, a residential advisor (RA), or a counselor who is not affiliated with the organization.
3. Document Everything: This is crucial. Take discreet screenshots of all relevant group chats, texts, photos, or videos. If you are injured, photograph your injuries immediately and daily as they heal. Keep a private journal of incidents, including dates, times, locations, and names.
4. Leaving the Group: You have the absolute right to leave any organization at any time. If you fear retaliation, notify a university official (Dean of Students, Title IX Coordinator) or an attorney of your intention to leave and your concerns. They can help ensure your safety.
5. Reporting Channels:
   • University Officials: Report to the Dean of Students, Office of Student Conduct, or the Title IX Coordinator (if sexually-related hazing).
   • Campus/Local Police: If the hazing involves physical assault, sexual assault, property damage, or other crimes, report it to campus police or your local police department (e.g., Honolulu Police Department).
   • National Anti-Hazing Hotline: Call 1-888-NOT-HAZE for anonymous reporting.
   • Legal Counsel: For severe incidents, consult an attorney experienced in hazing cases. They can advise you on your rights and the best course of action.

For Former Members / Witnesses: Doing What’s Right

If you are a former member, a current member who witnessed hazing, or someone who participated in hazing, you might feel conflicted or fearful. However, coming forward can prevent future harm and provide justice for victims.

• Your Role in Accountability: Your testimony and any evidence you possess can be vital. It might make the difference between a pattern of abuse continuing or being stopped.
• Legal Protections: Many states and universities offer some protection for individuals who report hazing in good faith. An attorney can advise you on your specific rights and responsibilities.
• Seeking Counsel: If you are concerned about your own potential liability, or simply want to understand your options, consult with a lawyer. They can help you navigate the process, potentially as a witness or through other legal avenues.

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

Whether you’re in Hawaii or on the mainland, when dealing with hazing, certain actions can severely undermine your ability to seek justice. Avoid these common pitfalls:

1. Destroying/Deleting Evidence: Digital evidence is paramount. Deleting text messages, group chats, photos, or videos—even if embarrassing—can severely weaken a case. Preserve everything.
2. Confronting the Perpetrators Directly: While your instinct might be to confront those responsible, this can lead to evidence destruction, witness tampering, or retaliation, and may compromise future legal action.
3. Signing Documents Without Legal Review: Do not sign any “waivers,” “releases,” or “settlement agreements” from the university, national organization, or insurance companies without an attorney reviewing them. You could unknowingly sign away your rights.
4. Delaying Legal Action: Evidence disappears, memories fade, and statutes of limitations have strict deadlines. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to build a strong case. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately.
5. Giving Recorded Statements to Insurance Companies: Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. Do not provide recorded statements without legal counsel present, as your words can be used against you.
6. “Waiting for the University to Handle It”: While university investigations are important for internal discipline, they have different goals than a civil lawsuit. They may not pursue financial compensation or expose all facts. Relying solely on the university can lead to missed legal opportunities.

Short FAQ for Hawaii Families

• “Can I sue a university in Hawaii for hazing?”
  • Yes, but suing public universities like the University of Hawaii at Manoa involves navigating sovereign immunity. This means specific legal strategies are required to pursue claims against the institution itself, though individuals and other organizations can still be sued directly. Legal counsel is essential to understand your specific options.
• “Is hazing a crime in Hawaii?”
  • Hawaii does not have a specific anti-hazing statute like many mainland states. However, hazing activities in Hawaii can still constitute criminal offenses under broader statutes, such as assault, harassment, reckless endangerment, or furnishing alcohol to minors. Depending on the severity, these can range from misdemeanors to felonies.
• “Can my child bring a case if they ‘agreed’ to the initiation?”
  • Generally, no. The concept of “consent” under duress or power imbalance is often not a valid legal defense. In the context of hazing, especially when it involves harm or illegal acts, courts often recognize that students don’t truly volunteer for abuse.
• “How long do we have to file a hazing lawsuit in Hawaii?”
  • In Hawaii, personal injury lawsuits generally have a two-year statute of limitations from the date of injury. For minors, the clock often starts ticking once they turn 18. However, complex factors like discovery of harm or fraudulent concealment can affect this timeline. It is crucial to seek legal advice promptly.
• “What if the hazing happened off-campus or at a private house?”
  • The location of the hazing does not necessarily prevent legal action. Universities and national organizations can still be held liable if they sponsored the activity, had knowledge of the risks, or failed to enforce policies that extend to off-campus events. Individuals involved are always liable for their actions, regardless of location.
• “Will this be confidential, or will my child’s name be in the news?”
  • Many hazing cases, particularly civil lawsuits, are resolved through confidential settlements. While initial reporting can bring attention, our firm prioritizes client privacy and seeks to achieve resolution with the least public exposure necessary, given the clients’ preferences.

About The Manginello Law Firm + Call to Action for Hawaii Families

When your family in Hawaii faces a hazing case, you need more than just a general personal injury lawyer. You need tenacious legal advocates who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway. The Manginello Law Firm, operating as Attorney911, brings unparalleled experience and an insider’s perspective to every hazing case, serving families across Hawaii and throughout the U.S.

We understand that the serene environment of Hawaii might mask the prevalence of hazing that influences students from our islands who attend colleges and universities across the U.S. From our Houston headquarters, we extend a critical lifeline to these families, regardless of where the incident occurred.

Why Attorney911 for Hazing Cases?

Our firm’s unique qualifications are specifically tailored to the complexities of hazing litigation:

• Insurance Insider Advantage: Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña (https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/), previously worked as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. She knows precisely how fraternity and university insurance companies value (and often undervalue) hazing claims. She understands their delay tactics, their arguments for coverage exclusions, and their settlement strategies. We know their playbook because we used to run it. This insider knowledge provides an invaluable edge in negotiating against these powerful entities.

• Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions: Ralph Manginello, our managing partner (https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/), has a distinguished record of taking on formidable opponents. He was involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, a complex federal court case against a billion-dollar corporation. This experience means The Manginello Law Firm is not intimidated by national fraternities, major universities, or their well-resourced defense teams. We’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations and won. We know how to fight powerful defendants.

• Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury Experience: Hazing cases often involve severe injuries or tragic fatalities. Our firm (https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/) has a proven track record in complex wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases, working with economists and medical experts to meticulously calculate lifetime care needs and future losses. We don’t settle cheap. We build cases that force accountability.

• Dual Civil & Criminal Hazing Expertise: We understand that hazing often involves criminal conduct. Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA)—a top criminal defense bar association—means we can advise on how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation. We can guide your family through both criminal and civil tracks, empowering you with a comprehensive legal strategy.

• Cutting-Edge Investigative Depth: Modern hazing cases pivot on digital evidence and thorough investigation. We employ a network of experts, including digital forensics specialists, medical professionals, and psychologists, to uncover and preserve critical evidence. We know how to obtain deleted group chats, subpoena national fraternity records, and access university files to build an irrefutable case. We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.

Call to Action for Hawaii Families

If you or your child, whether from Honolulu, Maui, or any of our beautiful islands, experienced hazing at any university, anywhere, we want to hear from you. Families in Hawaii have the right to answers, justice, and accountability for the harm caused by hazing.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. We’ll listen to what happened, explain your legal options, and help you decide on the best path forward.

What to expect in your free consultation:

• We will listen to your story with compassion and without judgment.
• We will review any evidence you have, such as photos, texts, or medical records.
• We will explain your legal options, including a criminal report, a civil lawsuit, both, or neither.
• We will discuss realistic timelines and what to expect throughout the legal process.
• We will answer your questions about costs. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don’t get paid unless we win your case. Learn how contingency fees work at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc.
• There is no pressure to hire us on the spot—take the time you need to decide.
• Everything you tell us is confidential.

Whether you’re in Hawaii or dealing with a hazing incident at a mainland university, if your family has been impacted by hazing, you don’t have to face this alone. We are ready to provide the legal emergency support you need.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today for immediate support.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com

Hablamos Español: For consultation in Spanish, please contact Lupe Peña directly at lupe@atty911.com.
Servicios legales en español disponibles.

Call us today.

Legal Disclaimer

This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC.

Hazing laws, university policies, and legal precedents can change. The information in this guide is current as of late 2025 but may not reflect the most recent developments. Every hazing case is unique, and outcomes depend on the specific facts, evidence, applicable law, and many other factors.

If you or your child has been affected by hazing, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified attorney who can review your specific situation, explain your legal rights, and advise you on the best course of action for your family.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com