University of Hawai'i v. Befitel

Opinion of the Court by

ACOBA, J.

We hold that, under Hawai‘i Revised Statutes (HRS) § 383-7(9)(B) (1993), eligibility of a student-employee for unemployment insurance benefits rests on whether the “primary relationship” the student occupies with respect to the school, college, or university involved is that of student or employee. Under the circumstances of this case, the primary relationship that Appellee Manaiakala-ni Kalua (Claimant) had to the University of Hawaii, Hilo Campus (Hilo Campus) while he performed services during the summer, was that of a student of Appellant-Appellee…