Judge denies request by Hawaiian Airlines employees to halt vax mandate

Honolulu, HAWAII — A federal judge on Wednesday declined to order Hawaiian Airlines to halt its mandatory vaccination policy for employees, despite a request from seven current and former employees who have filed a lawsuit alleging the company violated federal law when imposing the policy.

U.S. District Court Judge Jill Otake said the plaintffs had met none of the four requirements needed to obtain the requested temporary restraining order or injunctive relief. She also granted the airlines’ request to strike from the record a declaration submitted by a purported expert for the plaintiffs, saying the declarant’s “qualifications as an expert in this subject matter are questionable.”

Otake’s order did not affect the lawsuit, which was filed by seven workers who claim the airline violated federal law by failing to accommodate their religious beliefs and medical conditions when imposing the mandate. The company requires employees to be vaccinated or take an unpaid leave of absence.

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