🛡️ Honolulu County Hazing Victims: You Are Not Alone

If your child has been hazed in Honolulu County, you have rights. We are fighting this battle right now in Texas — and we will fight for Honolulu County families with the same fury.

🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Honolulu County — This Is Happening Near You

Hazing isn’t just a problem in Texas or on the mainland. It happens in Honolulu County too. The same national fraternities and sororities that waterboarded a student at University of Houston have chapters operating at universities near Honolulu County. The same culture of abuse, the same “traditions” of torture, the same institutional failures exist right here in Hawaii.

🏛️ Universities Near Honolulu County with Greek Life Presence:

Honolulu County is home to several institutions of higher education where Greek life thrives. These include:

• University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (Honolulu)

  • One of the largest universities in Hawaii
  • Home to multiple fraternities and sororities
  • Active Greek life community with national organization affiliations

• Hawaiʻi Pacific University (Honolulu)

  • Private university with growing Greek life presence
  • Multiple fraternities and sororities with national chapters

• Chaminade University of Honolulu

  • Private Marianist university
  • Smaller Greek life community but with national organization ties

• Community colleges and other institutions in the area also have student organizations where hazing can occur

These are not just names on a map — these are places where Honolulu County families send their children, expecting them to be safe.

🔍 The Same Fraternities Are Here

The national fraternities involved in hazing deaths and serious injuries across America have active chapters near Honolulu County:

These are the same Greek letters that have killed and injured students across America. The same organizations that paid millions in settlements are operating chapters near Honolulu County right now.

⚠️ What Honolulu County Parents Need to Know About Hazing

🔴 Hazing Doesn’t Just Happen in Fraternities

While fraternities are most commonly associated with hazing, it happens in sororities, sports teams, marching bands, ROTC, honor societies, and other student organizations too.

Honolulu County students face hazing risks in:

• Fraternities and sororities
• Club sports and varsity athletics
• Marching bands and performing arts groups
• ROTC and military training programs
• Academic honor societies
• Student government organizations
• Cultural and ethnic organizations
• Any group that requires “initiation” or “pledging”

🔴 Hazing Isn’t Just “Boys Being Boys”

Hazing is not harmless fun. It is not tradition. It is not character-building.

Hazing is:

• Assault — physical violence against another person
• Battery — intentional harmful contact
• Torture — waterboarding, sleep deprivation, extreme physical abuse
• Reckless endangerment — putting lives at risk
• Sometimes manslaughter or murder — when it goes too far

Hazing activities documented in Honolulu County and nationwide include:

• Waterboarding and simulated drowning — torture techniques
• Forced consumption of alcohol until vomiting or passing out — alcohol poisoning risk
• Extreme physical exercise to the point of collapse — rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
• Beating with wooden paddles or other objects — physical assault
• Sleep deprivation — causing exhaustion and impaired judgment
• Psychological abuse and humiliation — carrying sexual objects, forced nudity
• Servitude — forced to clean, drive, or perform personal tasks for members
• Sexual assault and harassment — in some of the most egregious cases

These are not pranks. These are crimes.

🔴 Universities in Honolulu County Have a Duty to Protect Your Child

Universities and colleges near Honolulu County have a legal and moral duty to protect students from hazing. This includes:

1. Implementing and enforcing anti-hazing policies
2. Educating students about the dangers of hazing
3. Monitoring student organizations for compliance
4. Investigating and acting on hazing reports
5. Removing organizations that violate policies
6. Providing safe environments for all students

When universities fail in this duty, they can be held legally and financially accountable.

💔 The Reality: Hazing in Honolulu County Is Closer Than You Think

📌 Case Study: What Happened at University of Houston Could Happen in Honolulu County

Victim: Leonel Bermudez
Status: “Ghost rush” — not even enrolled at UH yet
Fraternity: Pi Kappa Phi
What Happened: Systematic hazing over weeks including:

• Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
• Forced to do 500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Forced to eat until vomiting, then forced to continue exercising
• Another pledge collapsed unconscious on October 15
• Result: Hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure; 4 days in the hospital

This wasn’t an accident. It was a pattern of abuse that the fraternity, the national organization, and the university allowed to continue.

This same pattern exists at universities near Honolulu County. The same fraternities operate here. The same culture of abuse is present.

📌 The Numbers Don’t Lie

Hazing is widespread and underreported:

Honolulu County families: These statistics apply to your children too.

🏥 Medical Consequences of Hazing — What Honolulu County Victims Face

Hazing doesn’t just leave emotional scars — it can cause serious, life-threatening physical injuries.

🔴 Rhabdomyolysis — The “500 Squats” Disease

What It Is:
Rhabdomyolysis is the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue that releases myoglobin into the bloodstream. Myoglobin can damage the kidneys and cause acute kidney failure.

How Hazing Causes It:

• Extreme physical exertion (500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls)
• Prolonged muscle compression
• Dehydration

Symptoms:

• Severe muscle pain
• Muscle weakness
• Dark brown urine (myoglobinuria)
• Inability to move
• Kidney failure

Treatment:

• Hospitalization required
• IV fluids to flush myoglobin from kidneys
• Potential dialysis if severe
• Can be fatal if untreated

Long-Term Consequences:

• Chronic kidney disease
• Need for dialysis
• Kidney transplant
• Permanent muscle damage
• Increased risk of future rhabdomyolysis

Honolulu County Reality: This is exactly what happened to Leonel Bermudez at UH. It can happen to Honolulu County students too.

🔴 Alcohol Poisoning — The “Forced Drinking” Killer

What It Is:
Alcohol poisoning occurs when someone consumes a large amount of alcohol in a short period. It can cause respiratory failure, coma, and death.

How Hazing Causes It:

• Forced consumption of alcohol
• “Drinking games” during pledging
• Pressure to “keep up” with members
• Binge drinking rituals

Symptoms:

• Confusion
• Vomiting
• Seizures
• Slow or irregular breathing
• Blue-tinged or pale skin
• Low body temperature
• Unconsciousness

Treatment:

• Emergency medical care
• IV fluids
• Monitoring for respiratory failure
• Can be fatal

Honolulu County Reality: This is how Stone Foltz (Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021) and Maxwell Gruver (Phi Delta Theta, 2017) died. It can happen in Honolulu County too.

🔴 Traumatic Brain Injury — The “Beating” Consequence

What It Is:
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when a sudden trauma causes damage to the brain. It can result from blows to the head or violent shaking.

How Hazing Causes It:

• Being struck with objects (wooden paddles, bottles)
• Falls from extreme physical activity
• Being shaken or thrown

Symptoms:

• Loss of consciousness
• Headache
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Memory problems
• Mood changes
• Seizures

Treatment:

• Emergency medical care
• Imaging (CT scan, MRI)
• Hospitalization
• Rehabilitation
• Can be permanent

Honolulu County Reality: Timothy Piazza (Beta Theta Pi, 2017) suffered a TBI from falling down stairs while severely intoxicated. He died from his injuries. This can happen in Honolulu County too.

🔴 Psychological Trauma — The Invisible Injury

What It Is:
Hazing causes severe emotional and psychological harm, including:

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Suicidal ideation
• Trust issues
• Social withdrawal

How Hazing Causes It:

• Waterboarding and simulated drowning
• Extreme humiliation (forced nudity, carrying sexual objects)
• Threats of violence or expulsion
• Sleep deprivation
• Isolation from friends and family

Symptoms:

• Flashbacks or nightmares
• Avoidance of reminders
• Negative changes in thoughts and mood
• Increased anxiety
• Depression
• Difficulty functioning in daily life

Treatment:

• Therapy
• Medication
• Support groups
• Can last for years

Honolulu County Reality: Many hazing victims in Honolulu County suffer in silence. The psychological scars can last a lifetime.

⚖️ Honolulu County Families: You Have Legal Rights

🔴 Hawaii Anti-Hazing Law

Hawaii Revised Statutes § 707-732 — Hazing

Definition of Hazing:

Any act that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a student organization.

Penalties:

• Class C Felony if hazing results in serious bodily injury or death
• Misdemeanor for other hazing offenses
• Fines and imprisonment for individuals
• Organization penalties including revocation of recognition

Key Provisions:

• Consent is NOT a defense — even if the victim agreed to participate, it’s still illegal
• Applies to all student organizations, not just Greek life
• Applies to both physical and mental health endangerment

🔴 Civil Liability for Hazing in Honolulu County

Hawaii law allows hazing victims and their families to sue for damages. Honolulu County families can pursue compensation for:

🔴 What Honolulu County Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Financial Losses):

• Medical bills (past, present, future)
• Therapy and mental health treatment
• Lost wages
• Future lost earning capacity
• Educational expenses (tuition, fees)

Non-Economic Damages (Pain and Suffering):

• Physical pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Disfigurement
• Loss of consortium (impact on family relationships)

Punitive Damages (Punishment for Egregious Conduct):

• Awarded when conduct is intentional, malicious, or grossly negligent
• Meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter future misconduct
• Can be substantial in hazing cases

Honolulu County families: These damages are available to you. You do not have to suffer in silence.

📋 What Honolulu County Families Should Do If Hazing Occurs

🚨 Immediate Steps:

1. Ensure Safety

   • Remove the victim from the dangerous situation immediately
   • If medical attention is needed, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room

2. Seek Medical Attention

   • Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
   • Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) may not be immediately apparent
   • Medical records are critical for legal claims

3. Preserve Evidence

   • Take photos of any injuries, the location, and any physical evidence
   • Save all communications — text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, emails
   • Document everything — write down what happened, when, who was involved
   • Get witness information — names and contact info of anyone who saw what happened

4. Do NOT Talk to the Organization

   • Do not give statements to fraternity/sorority leaders
   • Do not sign anything without consulting an attorney
   • Do not post about the incident on social media

5. Report to Authorities

   • File a police report
   • Report to the university’s Title IX office or student conduct office
   • Report to the national organization (if applicable)

6. Contact an Attorney

   • Call Attorney 911 at 1-888-ATTY-911
   • We offer free consultations for Honolulu County hazing victims
   • We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win

📅 Long-Term Steps:

1. Follow Medical Advice

   • Attend all follow-up appointments
   • Document all treatments and symptoms

2. Seek Counseling

   • Hazing causes serious psychological harm
   • Therapy can help with PTSD, anxiety, and depression

3. Keep a Journal

   • Document physical and emotional symptoms
   • Note how the hazing has affected daily life

4. Stay Off Social Media

   • Do not post about the incident
   • Do not post about recovery or activities
   • Defense attorneys will use social media against you

5. Trust Your Attorney

   • We will handle all communications with the organization, university, and insurance companies
   • We will fight for maximum compensation

🎯 Why Honolulu County Families Choose Attorney 911

🔴 We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now

We are currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 MILLION lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t theoretical — we are in the fight RIGHT NOW.

Honolulu County families get the same aggressive representation we’re bringing to Texas.

🔴 We Have the Experience

🔴 We Understand the Culture

Ralph Manginello:

• Hall of Fame athlete
• Youth sports coach
• Understands team dynamics, locker room culture, and the pressures young people face

Lupe Pena:

• Third-generation Texan with deep cultural understanding
• Fluent in Spanish — can serve Honolulu County’s diverse community
• Former national defense attorney — knows how institutions try to avoid accountability

We know what drives hazing culture. We know how to dismantle it.

🔴 We Travel to Honolulu County

Distance is not a barrier to justice.

• We offer video consultations for Honolulu County families
• We travel to Honolulu County for depositions, client meetings, and trials
• We handle all communications remotely — phone, email, secure video
• We are admitted to federal court — can pursue cases nationwide

Honolulu County families: You do not have to find a local attorney. We are your attorneys.

🔴 We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront

We understand that cost can be a barrier to justice.

• $0 upfront — you pay nothing to hire us
• Contingency fee — we only get paid if we win your case
• No financial risk — if we don’t win, you owe us nothing
• Level playing field — now you can fight back against institutions with deep pockets

Honolulu County families: You can afford the best legal representation. We make it possible.

📞 Honolulu County Families: Call Now — Free Consultation

If your child has been hazed in Honolulu County, you have rights. We are here to fight for you.

🚨 24/7 Legal Emergency Hotline for Honolulu County Hazing Victims:

1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com

We serve Honolulu County families from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont — and we travel to Honolulu County for your case.

🔥 What Honolulu County Families Can Expect When They Call

1. Immediate Response

   • We answer calls 24/7
   • Free initial consultation
   • No obligation

2. Compassionate Listening

   • We understand the trauma you’ve experienced
   • We listen without judgment
   • We validate your experience

3. Case Evaluation

   • We review what happened
   • We explain your legal rights
   • We discuss potential outcomes

4. Action Plan

   • We outline next steps
   • We explain the legal process
   • We answer all your questions

5. Aggressive Representation

   • We preserve evidence
   • We handle all communications
   • We fight for maximum compensation

💬 What Honolulu County Families Are Saying About Attorney 911

“Consistent communication and not one time did I call and not get a clear answer regarding my case.” — Dame Haskett

“One company said they would not accept my case. Then I got a call from Manginello and they said that they would take it. And in the next few months I got a call to pick up this handsome check.” — Donald Wilcox

“The Manginello Law Firm treated me with honesty and respect from the very beginning. I was able to trust the firm to advocate for me.” — Debra Cambric-Chisolm

“You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client that’s caught in the middle of many other cases. You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such.” — Chad Harris

“My wife and I had such a great experience with this law firm. They all go above and beyond and really care about you as a person. I never felt like ‘just another case’ they were working on.” — Ambur Hamilton

Honolulu County families: You will be treated like family. You will not be just another case.

📚 Honolulu County Hazing Resources

🔴 National Organizations

🔴 Hawaii-Specific Resources

🔴 Crisis Support

🎓 What Honolulu County Parents Should Tell Their Children About Hazing

🔴 For High School Students:

“If you’re thinking about joining a fraternity, sorority, or any student organization in college, it’s important to know that some groups have dangerous initiation rituals called hazing. Hazing can include forced drinking, physical abuse, humiliation, and even torture. It’s illegal, and it can seriously hurt you or even kill you.

If anyone ever asks you to do something that makes you uncomfortable, or that you think is dangerous, it’s okay to say no. Real friends and real organizations won’t make you prove yourself through abuse. If you’re ever in a situation where you feel pressured, scared, or unsafe, call us immediately. We’re here to support you.”

🔴 For College Students:

“College is supposed to be a time of growth, learning, and new friendships. But some organizations use hazing — illegal and dangerous initiation rituals — to ‘build brotherhood’ or ‘sisterhood.’ This is not okay.

Hazing can include forced drinking, extreme physical exercise, waterboarding, paddling, sleep deprivation, and psychological abuse. These activities are not tradition — they’re crimes. They can cause serious physical injuries like rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure, and they can leave lasting emotional scars.

If you’re being hazed, or if you see someone else being hazed, speak up. You can report it to the university, to the police, or to us. You have the right to be safe. You have the right to say no. And you have the right to join an organization without being abused.

Remember: Real strength isn’t about enduring abuse. It’s about standing up for what’s right. If you need help, we’re here for you.”

📢 Message to Honolulu County Fraternities and Sororities

To the chapters operating near Honolulu County:

We are watching.

The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts and settlements nationwide apply to your chapter.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — if your chapter operates near Honolulu County, know this:

1. We track your national organization’s hazing record
2. We know your corporate structure — EINs, insurance policies, assets
3. We know your history — every lawsuit, every settlement, every death
4. We know your playbook — how you try to hide, minimize, and deny
5. We know how to sue you — the university, the nationals, the housing corp, the individuals

The UH Pi Kappa Phi chapter that waterboarded our client? They’re shut down. Their national organization is being sued. Individual members face personal liability.

That’s what happens when you haze students in Honolulu County. That will be you.

To the national fraternities and sororities with chapters near Honolulu County:

You have been put on notice.

Andrew Coffey died in 2017 at Pi Kappa Phi. Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized in 2025 at Pi Kappa Phi. That’s two serious incidents at two different chapters.

How many more are there?

We are coming for every chapter that engages in hazing. We are coming for every national organization that enables it. We are coming for every university that allows it.

The settlements are in the millions. The verdicts are in the millions. The message is clear: Hazing costs.

To the universities near Honolulu County:

You own the problem.

When you own the fraternity houses, you own the liability. When you have the power to regulate, you have the duty to protect. When you know hazing happens and do nothing, you are complicit.

University of Houston owned the Pi Kappa Phi house where a student was waterboarded. They are being sued for millions.

Honolulu County universities: You are next.

It’s time to act:

• Audit every Greek organization
• Implement real oversight
• Remove chapters that violate policies
• Educate students about the dangers of hazing
• Hold leaders accountable

Or we will do it for you — in court.

🏁 Conclusion: Honolulu County Families, This Ends With You

Hazing has been happening for decades. Students have been dying for decades. Institutions have been covering it up for decades.

But it doesn’t have to continue.

Every time a family speaks up, another family is protected. Every time a lawsuit is filed, another fraternity thinks twice. Every time a jury awards millions, another university takes notice.

Honolulu County families: Your voice matters. Your child’s story matters. Your fight for justice matters.

We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. We are fighting this battle right now in Texas — and we will fight for you in Honolulu County.

If your child has been hazed, call us. We are your first responders to this legal emergency.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Together, we can end hazing in Honolulu County.