DocketNumber： 22379
Judges： Acoba, Levinson, Nakayama, Reason
Filed Date： 9/12/2003
Status： Precedential
Modified Date： 10/19/2024
Opinion of the Court by
We hold that when reviewing a decision of the Hawai'i Civil Rights Commission (HCRC) the standard of review, pursuant to Hawai'i Revised Statutes (HRS) § 368-16(a) (1993), for the circuit court to apply, is de novo review. On appeal from the circuit court’s decision, pursuant to HRS § 368-16(d) (1993), this court applies the same standard of review applicable to all other appeals from the circuit court. Accordingly, the circuit court’s findings of fact are to be reviewed upon a clearly erroneous standard, and its conclusions of law are to be reviewed de novo under the right or wrong standard. Inasmuch as the findings of fact of the Circuit Court of the First Circuit
I.
Appellant - Appellant/Cross - Appellee
On appeal to this court, Appellant contends that the court erred in holding that (1) Wallace was acting within the scope of his agency relationship when dealing with spectators, and (2) Wallace did not enjoy First Amendment
II.
The following relevant facts are not in dispute. Coach Riley Wallace (Coach) is the head coach of the UH basketball team. The UH Special Events Arena (Arena) is owned by UH and managed by its Department of Intercollegiate Athletics (Athletic Department). Wallace was a student manager of the basketball team. Wallace is Coach’s son.
The basketball team had two student managers who performed various functions for the basketball team. Student managers are selected by the coach of the basketball team and are supervised by the team’s coaches. These student managers receive athletic scholarships, which include tuition waivers, book loans, and money for housing and meals. The scholarship funds are held in UH’s general scholarship account and are administered by the Athletic Department. The university considers student managers to be student athletes and requires that they be full-time students, carry at least twelve credits of course work, and maintain a grade point average of at least 2.0. .
Student managers are not paid a salary. As such, student managers are not given employee identification numbers and are not included on UH’s payroll. They are also not provided benefits such as annual leave, workers’ compensation, or health insurance. Taxes are not withheld from the scholarship monies awarded.
Student managers perform various functions for the basketball team. They assist coaches, prepare the gym for practice, and issue equipment. During the regular season they set up drinking water and equipment in the Arena, maintain the equipment and locker rooms, wipe the basketball floor during games, pack the players’ travel bags, and accompany the team to off campus games. Post-season duties include gathering equipment and attending post-season workouts.
Student athletes and student managers are also required to attend and participate in various fund raising events, such as golf tournaments and dinner auctions and to socialize with the public at these functions. The Athletic Department permits student managers to speak to spectators and members of the public at team practices and games.
A student manager’s conduct is regulated by the Handbook, which is given to each student manager at the beginning of the school year, and reviewed with them by the then-Director of the Athletics Department, Hugh Yoshida (Yoshida). The Handbook explains that student athletes and student managers “have special interests and responsibilities that do not apply to other students.” It declares that such students “represent[ ] the University of Hawai'i and all the people of Hawai‘i[,]” and, as such, they “will be in the ‘public eye’ and [them] personal conduct should reflect favorably upon ... [themselves, them] team and the University.” The Handbook requires “sportsmanlike” conduct and declares that “[u]sing obscene or inappropriate language or gestures to officials, opponents, team members or spectators” will not be tolerated. Student managers are required to abide by the Code of Conduct (Code) outlined in the Handbook.
A violation of the Code may be considered a minor or major violation. For example, directing a racial slim toward a spectator is prohibited by the Code and is punishable as a minor violation. Minor violations are disciplined by the head coach and may include temporary suspension from the team. Violent behavior, criminal activity, and drug use are considered major violations, and, as such, the head coach must immediately suspend the student athlete or student manager and refer the matter to the Athletic Director for further disciplinary action. However, a scholarship can only be rescinded if a student quits, becomes academically ineligible, or commits major misconduct.
III.
On or about February 18, 1995, Complainant attended a UH basketball game at the Arena. An avid fan, Complainant sat near the team and yelled comments about the referees and opposing players during the first half of the game. The game’s score was very close, and in the second half, Complainant became frustrated as he believed that the coaches were mistaken in them decisions.
Complainant yelled the following at the coaching staff: “You’re a dinosaur coach!” “You’re blowing it!” “You don’t know what you are doing!” “Stupid move!” “Play your bench!” “Put Woody [Woodrow Moore] in!” “You gotta use Woody, Woody can do it!” “You can’t coach talented players!” “Play your best players!” Complainant’s statements irritated Wallace. At one point, Wallace notified Rich Sheriff (Sheriff), the Arena manager, about Complainant, but Sheriff did nothing because in his opinion Complainant’s remarks were not offensive.
During the last two minutes of the game, Complainant yelled something like, “You should pack your bags and go already!” Wallace became enraged and turned toward Complainant and yelled, “Shut up you f[* :!']king nigger! I’m tired of hearing your shit! Shut your mouth or I’ll kick your ass!” Complainant responded, “Oh yeah, punk, come over and try it! You see me all the time, what’s the problem?” Wallace then moved to within a few feet of Complainant and shouted, “Just shut up, nigger or I’ll kick your ass!” Complainant retorted, “Oh yeah, you arid who else!” At this point, the assistant Arena manager, Adam Primas, intervened, and Wallace left for the locker room.
After Wallace left, Complainant turned to the boosters
Someone notified Sheriff of the incident and he went to Complainant and demanded, “[W]hat the hell were you doing?” Complainant then told Sheriff and a security guard that Wallace had called him a “nigger”
Complainant left the Arena and called the HPD from the parking lot. HPD responded to the scene and Complainant reported the incident. HPD determined that the matter was civil in nature. Artie Wilson (Wilson) learned of the incident and told Complainant that he would try to arrange a meeting to “patch things up.” Wilson then asked Coach and Yoshida to meet with Complainant. Yo-shida told Complainant that he wanted to “settle this thing” and “talk it over as men.” Complainant then met with Coach, Coach’s wife, and Wallace in Sheriffs office.
Coach made a waving motion with his hand towards Yoshida, indicating to Yoshida that he was not needed, and Coach shut the door to the office. Complainant felt intimidated and uncomfortable being alone with Coach’s family. Coach then explained to Complainant that Wallace’s actions were that of a son protecting his father, but that it was wrong. Wallace told Complainant that he “lost it” after hearing Complainant’s comments and apologized. Complainant told Wallace that he “kind of lost it too,” but that he did not like the racial slur, and did not want to hear it again. Complainant then shook hands with Wallace, hugged him, and shook hands with Coach and his wife.
Yoshida drove Complainant home after the meeting. Complainant told Yoshida that Wallace had apologized, that he undei'stood what had happened, and that he was partly at fault. At this point, Yoshida believed everything had been resolved and decided not to investigate further or impose discipline on Wallace. That night, Complainant had a difficult time sleeping and stayed up late thinking about the incident.
The next day at basketball practice, Coach informed the team that Wallace had used a racial slur toward a spectator and that Wallace wanted to apologize to the team for his actions. Wallace was not at practice that day. He did pack the team’s travel gear for them road trip, but did not accompany the team as it was the other student manager’s turn to travel.
On or about the evening of February 19, 1995, Complainant received a telephone call from an African American member of the basketball team. The player told Complainant that some African American players were upset by Wallace’s use of the racial slur. They were not happy that Wallace had not been disciplined, especially because an African American player had been suspended for using profanity at a coach. He also informed Complainant that Coach had instructed the players not to speak to Complainant.
Complainant became more upset and believed that punishment was warranted. On February 21, 1995, Complainant met with Coach at the airport and advised him that he believed his civil rights were violated and that it was unfair that Coach had done nothing. He requested that Wallace be suspended “to make him an example for the African Americans on the team.” Coach responded
Complainant next met with Yoshida and asked Yoshida to take action against Wallace. Yoshida stated that he thought the matter had been resolved, and no disciplinary action had been imposed, but that he would discuss the matter with Coach.
Yoshida conferred with Coach and they agreed to immediately suspend Wallace. On or about February 23, 1995, Yoshida informed Wallace of the suspension. Yoshida also asked Primas and Sheriff to submit written reports regarding the incident. Yoshida then called Complainant and stated, “Your civil rights have been violated ... if it’s any consolation, ... Wallace ha[s] been suspended.” Wallace was suspended for the remainder of the 1994-1995 season, but retained his athletic scholarship for that school year.
About a week after the incident, Primas met with the Arena staff, discussed the incident, and instructed the staff to “treat everybody with respect” and to remain calm and professional in such situations. As of at least December 2, 1997, UH had not held any training sessions for its coaches, student athletes, student managers, or Arena staff regarding state or federal public accommodation laws or procedures regarding a public accommodation complaint.
IV.
On or about August 17, 1995, Complainant filed a complaint with the HCRC. A contested case healing was held, after which the hearings examiner
The parties timely filed written exceptions and requested oral argument before the HCRC. After oral argument,
The court found that “Appellant[ ] conceded during oral argument, and the [c]ourt agree[d] on de novo review, that Wallace was an agent of U.H. at the time of the incident.” It also made the following findings and conclusions with respect to Wallace acting within the scope of his authority as an agent:
U.H. expected that Wallace would have contact with the public. U.H. gave Wallace an athletic scholarship for working. Wallace’s behavior ... [was] governed by the ... Handbook. The Handbook has entries governing interaction with spectators and recognizes that athletes, including ... [student] managers, would be in the public eye. [The Handbook] ... prohibits obscene and inappropriate language by athletes. It is undisputed and the [c]ourt finds as a fact that U.H. suspended Wallace for his conduct toward ... [Complainant] because of his violation of the Handbook. The express language in the Handbook and the facts under de novo review demonstrate that it was anticipated that during a U.H. basketball game, Wallace woidd have contact with the public and that such contact would be within the scope of his authority as an agent. Thus, the [c]ourt concludes that the incident on February 18, 1995, was within the scope of Wallace’s authority as an agent.
(Emphasis added.)
Appellant alleges that the court erred in its findings and conclusions that UH “expected that ... Wallace would have contact with the public during basketball games and thus was an agent of the University.” It contends that while Wallace was in the public eye and may have certain contact with the public, he was to focus all of his attention on the team during a game. Also, only appropriate contact with the public was authorized.
With respect to the First Amendment issue, the court made the following findings and conclusions:
The [c]ourt’s conclusion that Wallace was an agent acting within the scope of his authority means that contrary to his claim Wallace was not a private individual acting entirely in a private capacity, but a public employee or agent for the purposes of First ' Amendment Analysis.... The [cjomt concludes that Wallace’s use of the word “nigger” did, not involve a matter of public concern. Therefore, the wards spoken by Wallace to ... [Complainant] on February 18, 1995, were not entitled to First Amendment protection. Tims, as a matter of law, the ... HCRC’s actions were not prohibited by the First Amendment, and Wallace is liable for his conduct.
(Emphasis added.)
Appellant disputes the above findings and conclusions and argues that Wallace was acting as a private individual and his speech was protected under the First Amendment.
V.
At the circuit court level, there appeal's to be a question with reference to HRS §§ 368-16(a) and 91 — 14(g) (1993) and the standard of review to be applied by the circuit court on an appeal from a decision of the HCRC. See, e.g., Aloha Islandair, Inc. v. Hoshijo, Civ. No. 00-1-3779-12(EEH), 2001 WL 1912333, at *4 (Haw.Cir.Ct. August 9, 2001) (finding “that the specific language of H.R.S. § 368-16(a) requiring de novo review would control over the general language of H.R.S. § 91 — 14(g)[,]” but applying both stan
HRS § 368-16(a) deals only with the HCRC, and provides as follows:
(a) A complainant and a respondent shall have a right of appeal from a final order of the commission, including cease and desist orders and refusals to issue charges in the circuit court for the circuit in which the alleged violation occurred or where the person against whom the complaint is filed, resides, or has the person’s principal place of business. An appeal before the circuit court shall be revieived de novo. If an appeal is not taken within thirty days after the service of an appeal-able order of the commission, the commission may obtain an order for the enforcement of the order from the circuit court that has jurisdiction of the appeal.
(Emphasis added.) Black’s Law Dictionary 435 (6th ed.1990) defines “de novo” as follows: “Anew; afresh; a second time.” By way of illustration, it is “as if the reviewing court is the front-line judicial authority and, therefore, accord[s] no deference to the lower courts’ determinations.” State v. Navas, 81 Hawai'i 113, 120, 913 P.2d 39, 46 (1996). HRS § 91-14(g) pertains to appeals from administrative agencies generally and provides as follows:
(g) Upon review of the record the court may affirm the decision of the agency or remand the case with instructions for further proceedings; or it may reverse or modify the decision and order if the substantial rights of the petitioners may have been prejudiced because the administrative findings, conclusions, decisions, or orders are:
(1) In violation of constitutional or statutory provisions; or
(2) In excess of the statutory authority or jurisdiction of the agency; or
(3) Made upon unlawful procedure; or
(4) Affected by other error of law; or
(5) Clearly erroneous in view of the reliable, probative, and substantial evidence on the whole record; or
(6) A'bitrary, or capricious, or characterized by abuse of discretion or clearly unwarranted exercise of discretion.
(Emphasis added.) This court has stated with regard to review of an agency decision that,
[u]nder HRS § 91-14(g), conclusions of law are reviewable under subsections (1), (2), and (4); questions regarding procedural defects under subsection (3); findings of fact under subsection (5); and an agency’s exercise of discretion under subsection (6). Accordingly, a reviewing court will reverse an agency’s finding of fact if it concludes that such agency finding is clearly erroneous in view of the reliable, probative, and substantial evidence on the ivhole record. HRS § 91-14(g)(5). On the other hand, the agency’s conclusions of law are freely reviewable.
Hardin v. Akiba, 84 Hawai'i 305, 310, 933 P.2d 1339, 1344 (1997) (citations omitted). Thus, according to HRS § 368-16(a), the circuit court is to perform a de novo review of a decision of the HCRC; however, under HRS § 91-14(g), a reviewing court applies a clearly erroneous standard to the findings of fact by an agency, and de novo review of its conclusions of law under the right or wrong standard.
This eoui't has stated that “[wjhere there is a ‘plainly irreconcilable’ conflict between a general and a specific statute concerning the same subject matter, the specific will be favored.... [W]here the statutes simply overlap in their application, effect will be given to both if possible, as repeal by implication is disfavored.” Metcalf v. Voluntary Employees’ Ben. Ass’n of Hawai'i, 99 Ha
This conclusion is further supported by legislative history. In 1991, Senate Bill 1539 was introduced to, inter alia, “[eliminate the provisions for de novo review of the Commission’s decisions by the circuit court.” Sen. Stand. Comm. Rep. No. 487, in 1991 Senate Journal, at 951. The reason for proposing a change in the standard of review was to align the HCRC with other agencies for purposes of review:
De novo review of the Commission’s determinations subjects the Commission to standards disparate from the standards of other state agencies which are not subject to de novo review. Your Committee has amended this measure by amending Section 368-16, HRS, to eliminate de novo review and to have appeals be subject to Chapter 91, administrative review.
Hse. Stand. Comm. Rep. No. 1247, in 1991 House Journal, at 1297 (emphasis added). But, in opposition to the amendment, the “concern expressed was that it was premature to eliminate the procedural safeguard provided by de novo review of the Commission’s decision, which permits the courts to consider both evidence and legal conclusions without according deference to the Commission.”
Therefore, based upon the foregoing legislative history, the circuit court’s duty to apply de novo review to HCRC decisions pursuant to HRS § 368-16(a) remains intact.
VI.
In line with HRS § 368-16(a), HRS § 368-16(d), which also specifically relates to the HCRC, provides that “[t]he final judgment or decree of the circuit court shall be subject to review by appeal in the same manner and form as other appeals from that court.” Generally, on appeal to this court, “[t]he weight and credibility of evidence is for the circuit court to determine and its findings of fact will not be set aside unless they are clearly erroneous.” Beneficial Hawai'i, Inc. v. Casey, 98 Hawai'i 159, 167, 45 P.3d 359, 367 (citing Welton v. Gallagher, 65 Haw. 528, 530, 654 P.2d 1349, 1351 (1982); Molokoa Village Dev. Co., Ltd. v. Kauai Elec. Co., 60 Haw. 582, 592, 593 P.2d 375, 382 (1979)), reconsideration denied (2002). Also, this court reviews the circuit court’s conclusions of law de novo under the right or wrong standard. Gonsalves v. Nissan Motor Corp. in Hawai'i, Ltd., 100 Hawai'i 149, 159, 58 P.3d 1196, 1206 (citing Child Support Enforcement Agency v. Roe, 96 Hawai'i 1, 11,
Hence, this court’s standard of review of an appeal from the circuit court regarding an appeal from the HCRC is that we review the findings of fact of the circuit court under a clearly erroneous standard, and its conclusions of law de novo under the right or wrong standard.
VII.
This court has said that “[t]he public policy of the State of Hawaii disfavoring racial discrimination is embodied in our statutes and our Constitution.”
Chapter 489 does not expressly state who may be held liable for violations of HRS § 489-3. However, HRS § 489-8 states in relevant part that “[i]t shall be unlawful for a person to discriminate unfairly in public accommodations.” (Emphasis added.) “Person” is defined in HRS § 489-2 (1993), which broadly states that “[pjerson has the meaning prescribed in [HRS] section 1-19[
Additionally, we may look to Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 after which HRS chapter 489 was patterned for guidance. See Hse. Stand. Comm. Rep. No. 233-86, in 1986 House Journal, at 1086-87 (“Testimony by the Office of the Governor, Affirmative Action Program stated that Hawaii should join the other 38 states ... in enacting laws that would be in keeping with Title II of the Civil Rights Act.”).
The Arena is a public accommodation owned by UH, a state university.
VIII.
A.
“An agency relationship may be created through actual or apparent authority.” Cho Mark Oriental Food, Ltd. v. K & K Int’l, 73 Haw. 509, 515, 836 P.2d 1057, 1061 (1992) (citing Wells Fargo Bus. Credit v. Ben Kozloff, Inc., 695 F.2d 940, 944-45 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 464 U.S. 818, 104 S.Ct. 77, 78 L.Ed.2d 89 (1983); Restatement, supra, §§ 7, 8, 26, 27). There have been no allegations regarding apparent authority and, as such, we do not consider it. “ ‘Actual authority exists only if there has been a manifestation by the principal to the agent that the agent may act ..., and may be created by express agreement or implied from the conduct of the parties or surrounding circumstances.’ ” State Farm Fire & Cas. Co. v. Pacific Rent-All, Inc., 90 Hawai'i 315, 325, 978 P.2d 753, 763 (emphasis omitted) (emphasis added) (quoting Cho Mark, 73 Haw. at 515-16, 836 P.2d at 1061-62 (internal quotation marks, citations, and brackets omitted)), reconsideration denied, 90 Hawai'i 315, 978 P.2d 753 (1999). “Express actual authority requires an oral or written agreement between the parties that the principal has delegated authority that the agent has accepted and that authorizes the agent to do certain acts.” Cho Mark, 73 Haw. at 515-16, 836 P.2d at 1062 (citing Hawaiian Paradise Park Corp. v. Friendly Broadcasting Co., 414 F.2d 750, 755 (9th Cir.1969) (applying Hawai'i law); Gulf Ins. Co. v. Grisham, 126 Ariz. 123, 613 P.2d 283, 286 (1980)). “Implied actual authority ‘may arise either independent of any express grant of authority ... or it may arise as a necessary or reasonable implication required to effectuate some other authority expressly conferred by the principal.’ ” Id. at 516, 836 P.2d at 1062 (quoting Wells Fargo Bus. Credit, 695 F.2d at 944-45).
Wallace’s responsibilities and duties were regulated by the Handbook, which expressly gave Wallace authority to perform various duties for the basketball team. Thus, an agency relationship between UH and Wallace was created by virtue of the express agreement contained, at the least, in the Handbook. In fact, UH does not dispute that as a student manager, “Wallace acted as an agent of UH for certain specific purposes.”
As previously indicated, UH argues that it is not liable for Wallace’s actions because Wallace was acting outside the scope of his authority. UH is correct that it is not ipso facto liable for Wallace’s actions simply by virtue of his agency status, for generally, a principal can only be held vicariously liable for the actions of an agent under the theory of respondeat superior. See Restatement, supra, § 219(1), at 481.
B.
“A master is a species of principal and, a servant is a species of agent.” Restatement, supra, § 2 cmt. a., at 13. It is well established that “[a] master is subject to liability for the torts of his [or her] servants committed while acting in the scope of their employment.” Restatement, supra, § 219(1), at 481. See Wong-Leong v. Hawaiian Indep. Refinery, Inc., 76 Hawai'i 433, 438, 879 P.2d 538, 543 (1994) (“Under the theory of respondeat superior, an employer may be liable for the negligent acts of its employees [or agents] that occur within the scope of then employment]” or authority, (citing Henderson v. Professional Coatings Corp., 72 Haw. 387, 391-92, 819 P.2d 84, 88 (1991) (other citations omitted)); cf. Lucas v. Liggett & Myers Tobacco Co., 50 Haw. 477, 480, 442 P.2d 460, 463, (“ ‘A principal who puts a servant or other agent in a position which enables the [servant], while apparently acting within his authority, to commit a fraud upon third persons is subject to liability to such third persons for fraud.’ ” (Quoting Restatement, supra, § 261 at 570.)), reheating denied (1968). The Restatement also notes that “[a]n act may be within the scope of employment although consciously criminal or tortious.” Restatement, supra, § 231, at 512; see also Lucas, 50 Haw. at 482, 442 P.2d at 463 (quoting Restatement, supra, § 231 approvingly). “Vicarious liability under the respon-deat superior doctrine ordinarily requires some kind of employment relationship or other consensual arrangement under which one person agrees to act under another’s control.” Dan B. Dobbs, The Law of Torts, § 335, at 910 (2000) (footnote omitted) (emphasis added). As mentioned above, Coach was Wallace’s supervisor. The Handbook regulated Wallace’s conduct as a student manager. Wallace was thus subject to control by UH.
But, “[w]hether [an] employee [or agent] is acting within the scope of his [or her] employment [or agency relationship] is a question of fact to be determinéd in the light of the evidence of each particular case[.]” Henderson, 72 Haw. at 393, 819 P.2d at 89 (quoting Kang v. Charles Pankow Assocs., 5 Haw.App. 1, 8, 675 P.2d 803, 808 (1984) (internal quotation marks and other citations omitted)). This court has cited the Restatement, supra, § 228, at 504 as defining scope of authority:
(1) Conduct of a servant is within the scope of employment[28 or authority] if, but only if:
*320 (a) it is of the kind that he [or she] is employed to perform;
(b) it occurs substantially within the authorized time and space limits; and
(c) it is actuated at least in part, by a purpose to serve the master[.]
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(2) Conduct of a servant is not within the scope of employment [or authority] if it is different in kind from that authorized, far beyond the authorized time or space limits, or too little actuated by a purpose to serve the master.
Wong-Leong, 76 Hawai'i at 438, 879 P.2d at 543 (quoting Henderson, 72 Haw. at 391-92, 819 P.2d at 88) (citing Restatement, supra, § 228, at 504)) (brackets omitted). Applying the above-mentioned test, Wallace’s actions fell within the scope of his authority.
First, Wallace’s conduct was of the kind that he was authorized to perform. Wallace, as a student manager, was required to attend games, to “[w]ork on the bench during the [basketball] game[,]” and to assist the team. It was foreseeable that Wallace would have some interaction with the public at games while acting in this capacity. This public interaction was described by UH as part of Wallace’s duties. The Handbook thus envisioned that student managers would have contact with the spectators, and, as such, student managers were expressly prohibited from “[u]sing obscene or inappropriate language or gestures to officials, opponents, team members or spectators.” This admonition in the Handbook supports the conclusion that “[a]n act, although forbidden, or done in a forbidden manner, may be within the scope of employment.” Restatement, supra, § 230, at 511.
Second, without a doubt, Wallace’s conduct occurred within authorized time and space limits. Wallace was required to attend the UH basketball game as part of his duties. This game was held at the Arena, and Wallace sat on the team bench during the game. Wallace was to assist the team during games, and this incident occurred during the game. The incident occurred while Wallace was on duty at a place he was required to be. Thus, his conduct occurred within the authorized time and space limits.
Third, while the court’s decision did not specifically address whether Wallace’s conduct was actuated by a purpose to serve UH, the HCRC found that Wallace was at the game to assist the team. Wallace’s action was directed at a spectator who was heckling the coach and team, conduct which might reasonably be perceived as interfering with the concentration or morale of the coaches or players. Under the circumstances, it may be concluded that Wallace acted, at least in part, with the purpose of benefitting UH.
IX.
Appellant further contends that Wallace was acting as a private person, and, as such, his words were protected by the First Amendment. The court held that Wallace was not a private individual and that he was a public agent of UH for purposes of the First Amendment analysis. As previously explained, Wallace was an agent of UH and, hence, was not acting in a private capacity. Wallace did not buy a ticket to attend the basketball game. His purpose for attending the game was to perform his student manager duties. In any event, Wallace’s speech was not protected, whether uttered as a public employee or as a private person.
Of course, “a public employee does not relinquish First Amendment rights to comment on matters of public interest by virtue of government employment.” Connick v. Myers, 461 U.S. 138, 140, 103 S.Ct. 1684, 75 L.Ed.2d 708 (1983) (citing Pickering v. Board of Educ., 391 U.S. 563, 88 S.Ct. 1731, 20 L.Ed.2d 811 (1968)). While Connick dealt with employees and not agents, we note no relevant difference for First Amendment analysis purposes. ‘Whether an [agent’s] speech addresses a matter of public concern must be determined by the content, form, and context of a given statement, as revealed by the whole record.” Id. at 147-48, 103 S.Ct. 1684. Here, no party disputes that Wallace directed the racial slur at Complainant or that the surrounding threatening statements were made. “The question of whether speech touches upon a matter of public concern is one of law, to be reviewed de novo.” Dambrot v. Central Michigan Univ., 55 F.3d 1177, 1186 (6th Cir.1995) (citing Rahn v. Drake Ctr., 31 F.3d 407, 411 (6th Cir.1994), cert. denied, 515 U.S. 1142, 115 S.Ct. 2578, 132 L.Ed.2d 828 (1995); Barnes v. McDowell, 848 F.2d 725, 733 (6th Cir.1988), cert. denied, 488 U.S. 1007, 109 S.Ct. 789, 102 L.Ed.2d 780 (1989)). Appellant does not identify any matter of public concern protected by Wallace’s speech, and we discern none. See Dambrot, 55 F.3d at 1187 (holding a coach’s use of the word “nigger” was not “relating to any matter of political, social or other concern to the community”); Vinci v. Nebraska Dep’t of Correctional Servs., 253 Neb. 423, 571 N.W.2d 53, 61 (1997) (holding employee’s use of “nigger e[*]nt” and “stupid nigger” was not a matter of public concern).
Assuming, arguendo, that Wallace was acting as a private person, Wallace’s speech would be characterized as fighting words bereft of First Amendment protection. “ ‘Whether speech is protected by the first amendment to the United States Constitution, as applied to the states through the due process clause of the fourteenth amendment, is a question of law which is freely reviewable on appeal.’ ” In re John Doe, Born on January 5, 1976, 76 Hawai'i 85, 93, 869 P.2d 1304, 1312 (1994) (quoting State v. Chung, 75 Haw. 398, 415, 862 P.2d 1063, 1072 (1993)) (brackets and other citations omitted). We conclude that Wallace’s statements, i.e., “Shut up you fucking nigger!” and “[J]ust shut up nigger, or I’ll kick your ass!”, constituted fighting words. In fact, as noted, the racial slur, which is the subject of HRS chapter 489, was accompanied by threats of violence. This court has held that fighting words are not protected by the First Amendment, and has stated as follows:
There are certain well-defined and narrowly limited classes of speech, the prevention and punishment of which have never been thought to raise any constitutional problem. These include the lewd and obscene, the profane, the libelous, and the insulting or ‘fighting’ ivords — those ivhich by their very utterance inflict injury or tend to incite an immediate breach of the peace. Such utterances are no essential part of any exposition of ideas, and. are of such slight social value as a step to truth that any benefit that may be derived from them is clearly outiveighed by the social interest in order and morality.
X.
Accordingly, the court’s February 24, 1999 order affirming in part and reversing in part the final decision of the HCRC and its February 26, 1999 final judgment are affirmed.
. The Honorable B. Eden Weil, now Eden E. Hifo, presided over the circuit court matter.
. Wallace was initially an Appellant-Appellant/Cross-Appellee, but was dismissed from this appeal by stipulation filed on September 17, 1999.
. See State v. Hoshijo, Civ. No. 98-2810-06, Order Affirming in Part and Reversing in Part Final Decision of Hawai'i Civil Rights Commission (Haw. 1st Cir.Ct. Feb. 24, 1999), available at Http://www.state.hi.us/hcrc/casesAVhite.txt.
. Then-chairperson Claudio Suyat and Commissioners Allicyn Hikida Tasaka, Faye Kennedy, Jack Law, and Harry Yee presided over the matter.
. See Hoshijo v. State, No. 97-001-PA-R, Final Decision and Order(Haw. Civ. Rights Comm. Feb. 24, 1999), available at Http:/Avww.state.hi.us/hcrc/cases/Whitefin.txt.
. The First Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or die right of people peaceably to assemble, and to petition die Government for a redress of grievances.” (Emphasis added).
. On or about December 30, 1999, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed an amicus curiae brief regarding First Amendment issues relating to HRS chapter 489. The ACLU argued that the First Amendment is not a barrier to holding UIT liable for Wallace’s discriminatory acts because a law is constitutional under the First Amendment (1) if it promotes a substantial government interest, (2) if the.government interest is not in suppressing free expression, and (3) if the incidental restriction on speech is not greater than necessary to promote the government interest.
. Inasmuch as we affirm the court's holding that Wallace was an agent of UH, and was acting within the scope of his agency relationship, we need not specifically decide whether Wallace was also an employee of UH.
. Appellant disputes that Wallace was expected to have contact with the public during games. As explained, infra, we review the findings of fact of the circuit court under the clearly erroneous standard.
. In the HCRC opinion, it stated that "[t]he Commission believes that a student manager trying to quiet down a loud spectator would be acting within the scope of his authority to do things to assist the team if done in a non-racist, non-threatening manner.” It then ruled that Wallace's conduct was within the scope of employment as "Wallace's actions do not fall outside the scope of his authority simply because of the language he used.”
. The booster club consists of members of the community who support the UH basketball team and hold fund-raisers and events in support of the team.
. See, e.g., Swinton v. Potomac Corp., 270 F.3d 794, 817 (9th Cir.2001) (stating that the word "nigger” is " 'perhaps the most offensive and inflammatory racial slur in English, ... a word expressive of racial hatred and bigotry’ ” (quoting Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary 784 (10th ed. 1993))), cert. denied, 535 U.S. 1018, 122 S.Ct. 1609, 152 L.Ed.2d 623 (2002).
. Livia Wang was the HCRC Hearings Examiner who presided over tire contested case hearing. Wang submitted the Hearing Examiner’s Finding of Fact, Conclusion of Law and Recommended Order on or about February 2, 1998.
. See Hoshijo v. State, Doc. No. 97-001-PA-R, Hearing Examiner’s Finding of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Recommended Order (Haw. Civ. Rights Comm. February 2, 1998), available at Http://www.state.hi.us/hcrc/cases/Whitedra.txt.
. HRS § 368-17(a) (1993) provides for compensatory damages and in relevant part, states as follows:
(a) The remedies ordered by the commission or the court under this chapter may include compensatory and punitive damages and legal and equitable relief, including, but not limited to:
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(8) Payment to the complainant of damages for an injury or loss caused by a violation of chapters 489, 515, pari I of chapter 378, or this chapter, including a reasonable attorney's fee[.]
. HRS § 489-8 (1993) provides for civil penalties as follows:
It shall be unlawful for a person to discriminate unfairly in public accommodations. Any person, firm, company, association, or corporation who violates this chapter shall be fined a sum of not less [than] $500 nor more than $ 10,000 for each violation, which sum shall be collected in a civil action brought by the attorney general or the civil rights commission on behalf of the State. The penalties provided in this section shall be cumulative to the remedies or penalties available under all laws of this State. Each day of violation under this chapter shall be a separate violation.
(Brackets in original.)
. Oral argument was heard by the commission on or about April 3, 1998, and Commissioners Law, Tasaka, Kennedy, and Yee were present and took part in the Final Decision and Order filed on February 24, 1999. Chairperson Suyat was unavailable for the oral argument, but read the submissions and listened to a tape recording of the oral argument, and participated in the decision.
. HRS § 368-16(a) provides in relevant part dial "[a] complainant and a respondent shall have a right of appeal from a final order of the commission, .,. [but i]f an appeal is not taken within thirty days ... the commission may obtain an order of enforcement from the circuit court....”
. See supra note 3.
. One opponent of the amendment, Representative Taniguchi, made the following speech:
I speak out against the proposed bill as currently written because it is unnecessary, premature and unfair in my estimation. It will eliminate the only protection employees and employers have to have a court of law review the factual determinations of the Civil Rights Commission de novo.
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Currently and as originally enacted, Chapter 368 requires de novo review. Both the Ha-wai'i Women’s Political Caucus and the Chamber of Commerce testified that eliminating the de novo review is a bad idea. The Commission seeks to insulate itself from a court review by replacing de novo review with Chapter 91 review. Chapter 91 review alone I feel is not good enough. The Civil Rights Commission is the only State Commission with drastic power to award compensatory and punitive damages, yet relies exclusively, according to this bill, on a streamlined hearing process.
Comment by Representative Taniguchi in 1991 House Journal, at 516.
. Article 1, section 5 of the Hawaii State Constitution provides as follows: “No person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law, nor denied die equal protection of the laws, nor be denied the enjoyment of the person’s civil rights or be discriminated against in the exercise thereof because of race, religion, sex, or ancestry." (Emphasis added.)
. While the parties do not question whether an employee’s or agent’s use of a racial slur may constitute unfair discrimination under HRS chapter 489, courts of other states have found such utterances actionable discrimination under their public accommodation law. See, e.g., King v. Greyhound Lines, Inc., 61 Or.App. 197, 656 P.2d 349, 352 (1982) (stating that “the chief harm resulting from the practice of discrimination by establishments serving the general public is not the monetary loss of a commercial transaction or die inconvenience of limited access but, rather, the greater evil of unequal treatment, which is the injury to an individual’s sense of self-worth and personal integrity”).
. HRS § 1-19 (1993) provides as follows:
§ 1-19 “Person,” "others," "any,” etc. The word "person,” or words importing persons, for instance, "another,” "others,” "any,” "anyone,” "anybody,” and the like, signify not only individuals, but corporations, firms, associations, societies, communities, assemblies, inhabitants of a district, or neighborhood, or persons known or unknown, and the public generally, where it appears, from the subject matter, the sense and connection in which such words are used, that such construction is intended.
(Emphasis added.)
. While federal law and "a federal court’s interpretation ... [of that law] is not binding on this court’s interpretation of civil rights laws,” it can be a "useful analytical tool,” especially in light of
. There is no dispute that the Arena is a public accommodation as defined by HRS § 489-2. HRS § 489-2(6) states in relevant part that "[b]y way of example, but not of limitation, place of public accommodation includes facilities of tire following types: ... A ... sports arena ... or other place of exhibition or entertainment.”
. The dissent posits that whether "implied authority "exists” requires focusing on Wallace's reasonable understanding of his authority[.]” Dissent at 323, 76 P.3d at 566. It is undisputed that student managers were required to interact with the public at various fund raising events and that student managers were permitted to speak with the public at team practices, and, as the circuit court held, at games. This is a finding of fact, which as explained above, we review under the clearly erroneous standard. It is reasonable to infer that UH expected that Wallace would interact with the public at games as it allowed him to interact at various other events. As such,
. Neither party has alleged that Wallace’s actions constituted an intentional tort. However, we note that an employer may be liable "for the intentional torts of [its] employee[ as] the law now imposes liability where the employee’s 'pur- . pose, however misguided, is wholly or in part to further the master’s business.' ” Burlington Indus. Inc. v. Ellerth, 524 U.S. 742, 756, 118 S.Ct. 2257, 141 L.Ed.2d 633 (1998) (citing W. Keeton, D. Dobbs, R. Keeton, & D. Owen, Prosser & Keeton on Law of Torts § 70, at 505 (5th ed.1984)). However, “ 'it is less likely that a willful tort will properly be held to be in the course of employment and that the liability of the master for such torts will naturally be more limited.’ ” Id. (citing F. Mechem, Outlines of the Law of Agency, § 394, at 266 (P. Mechem 4th ed.1952)).
. As used in the Restatement, "[t]he word 'employment' [or employ] means the subject matter as to which the master and servant relationship exists.” Restatement, supra, § 228 cmt. a., at 504. Therefore, an individual need not be an employee for respondeat superior liability to attach. The term "employment” is not limited to a
. The dissent postulates that
[e]ven assuming that UH contemplated some kind of contact with spectators, Wallace's conduct .■ . was a considerable departure from any usual method of engaging in contact with spectators or quieting the crowd.... It is not common, nor would it be expected, that a student manager would yell "Shut up you fucking nigger!” to a spectator of African American descent in an attempt to control a crowd.
Dissent at 325-326, 76 P.3d at 568-569. The infirmity of this argument seems apparent. Consider, hypothetically, a situation in which Wallace was participating in a golf tournament for UH as an official greeter. Consider, further, that he says to one player, "Nice shot” and directs a racial slur at another player. In that instance, under the dissent's analysis, Wallace would be an agent when he complimented one player, but not when he used the racial slur against a second. Wallace must be considered an agent under both circumstances.
The Restatement, supra, § 230, at 511 notes, "[a]n act, although forbidden, or done in a forbidden manner, may be within the scope of employment.” Obviously, while the incident presented in this case was unexpected, such a scenario was anticipated by UH, as evidenced by the prohibition in its Handbook against “[u]sing obscene or inappropriate language or gestures to ... spectators!
Additionally, as die Restatement points out, "[s]ince the phrase 'scope of employment,’ is used for the conduct of servants, the ultimate question is whether or not it is just that the loss resulting from the servant's acts should be considered as one of the normal risks to be borne by the businessf.]” Restatement, supra, § 229, cmt. a., at 507. Here, the legislature specifically made it unlawful to discriminate in a public accommodation. It is foreseeable that such discrimination may result from the actions of the servants that work at the public accommodation.