Pacheco v. HILO ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANY, LTD.

OPINION OF THE COURT BY

LEVINSON, J.

On August 27, 1967, Stanley Pacheco was seriously injured while operating a tractor-type lawnmower as an employee of the State of Hawaii. On that day, Pacheco was mowing grass near the 18-mile post on the roadside between Hilo and Honokaa on the island of Hawaii when a large sign, owned and maintained by the Hilo Electric Light Company, hereinafter referred to as HELCO, collapsed and fell on his head. As a result of the injuries Pacheco suffered in this accident, the State, as his employer, paid him $40,000 in workmen’s compensation benefits during the…