Former Damien president and school agree on confidential settlement after whistleblower lawsuit

HNN Sept 12, 2025: … A whistleblower lawsuit filed against Damien Memorial School by its former president has ended with a settlement.

Former school president and CEO Arnold Laanui told Hawaii News Now the specific terms, including a dollar amount, are confidential.

In his lawsuit filed last year, he accused the school of wrongful termination and retaliation….

Laanui’s allegations were explosive, including a group sex incident on campus involving football players and a female student. He said the alumni association was violating ILH rules by paying cash scholarships to star football players, and he accused coaches Anthony Tuitele and Ron Dalmacio of taking money from the school.

Laanui got immediate backlash, the board terminated him, and the coaches were reinstated….

read … Former Damien president and school agree on confidential settlement after whistleblower lawsuit

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Former Damien School President and CEO Resolves Employment Dispute, Reflects on Tenure Marked by Many Milestones

News Release from Dr. Arnold Laanui, Jr., Sept 12, 2025 

Dr. Arnold Laanui, Jr., former President and CEO of Damien Memorial School, has reached a confidential and favorable resolution with the school following his wrongful termination lawsuit filed last year.  While the terms remain confidential, both parties have agreed to move forward. The resolution brings closure to a difficult chapter and affirms the importance of integrity in moments of professional challenge.

“Every challenge is an opportunity to forge faith and fortitude,” said Dr. Laanui.   “Faith gave me the focus, drive and clarity I needed.  Fortitude came from the many friends, colleagues, co-workers, and community members who offered kind words and unwavering support.  I’m especially thankful for my former teachers, coaches, and professors who believed in me and my work.”

During his tenure, Dr. Laanui led the school through a period of historic transformation, achieving several firsts and laying a solid foundation for the school's future success.  Among his key accomplishments:

• Securing the largest grant in the school's history
• Advancing the school’s financial sustainability
• Confronting and resolving major deferred maintenance issues
• Leading the construction of a new athletic trainers’ space
• Launching the school’s first collegiate dual-credit program
• Forging new strategic partnerships with local and regional universities
• Establishing a 2-year faculty training and development program
• Commissioning two of the world’s largest portraits of St. Damien

“These outcomes were the result of a deep commitment to students, faculty, and mission,” he noted. “While the road has been complex, I am particularly proud of the business office during my tenure – who were unafraid to step forward and achieved so much in such a short amount of time.”

Dr. Laanui is eager to begin a new chapter focused on ethical leadership, strategic risk mitigation, and supporting those who speak truth to power.  “I look forward to continuing my work with a renewed sense of purpose, committed to building systems grounded in ethics, integrity and moral courage.”

Background:  Dr. Laanui served as President and CEO of Damien Memorial School from July 2022 to February 2024. He is a retired FBI Special Agent with 25 years of federal law enforcement experience. He holds a juris doctorate from the University of Hawaii and a doctorate in education from USC.  He filed a whistleblower lawsuit in August 2024 alleging retaliation for reporting suspected legal and regulatory violations.