State of Hawaii Sues American University of Hawaii

The State of Hawaii, by its Office of Consumer Protection, filed suit yesterday against American University Hawaii, Inc. (a Hawaii corporation) dba the American University of Hawaii. The suit alleges that the defendant violated various provisions of Hawaii's Unaccredited Degree Granting Institutions Law (Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 446E) and seeks injunctive relief, restitution, civil penalties and other equitable relief.

Anyone seeking to view an electronic version of the Complaint may email requests to [email protected].

Jeffrey E. Brunton
Staff Attorney
Office of Consumer Protection
State of Hawaii

 

Up, you mighty race! Well done as always.

 

Agree.

 

AUH court case

Mr. Brunton
As I can understand, the mediation meeting with the AUH (Defendant) was on the June 8th. did any judgment had occured or they just submited all the documents.
I herard they was something happening in Cambodia concerning AUH. Do you know what is the story? Something about the local newspaper...
What is the real status of AUH?
Is it registered at the department of Education in the State of Hawaii or is it registered as a business (AUH inc.)
I saw in their website that they have many affiliation around the world, are the affiliation all operative at this day?

 

The June 8 mediation was not successful. A second preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 4 (at which time the court is being asked to impose $1.5 million in civil penalties against AUH) and a trial is scheduled for November 15.

Neither the state of Hawaii as a whole nor its Department of Education licenses or registers unaccredited universities. AUH, like any Hawaii corporation, is registered with the Business Regsitration Division as a private corporation.

We are unclear as exactly what AUH is doing in Cambodia at this time.

 

AUH might go bankrupt if this summon given to them. This is serious and those engage and in progress of finishing the degree program might facing problem of graduation.

 

Surprisingly that AUH can affiliate with a medical school and offer the program from his website:

http://www.auh.edu/medicine.htm

http://www.auh.edu/alternativemedicine.htm

The process of completing the MD program if it were run through the DL process then I guess this is the only university can be done in the world so far.

 

"Students"? Riiiight.

 

If the universities in Hawaii are only registered as a private corporation then where do they get the authority to award a degree? It means there is no difference between a university registered itself as a (International Business Corporation (IBC) in Cayman Island and a university registered as a private corporation. The only difference might be consumer protection laws.

Peter Chin

 

I you revisit JE Brunton's post above, it seems that Hawaii's Department of Education licenses only real schools and colleges. All real schools and colleges in Hawaii will in turn seek RA. AUH is not a real school. It is a business outfit.

 

Which is the reason they are being sued by the State of Hawaii!

 

"...finishing a degree program"? I hate to be the one to break this news to you, but as long as the check clears, you're okay.




Tom Nixon

 

There is no Hawaii state law that restricts who can and cannot grant degrees. The law there just puts some rather minor restrictions on the advertising claims that can be made by unaccredited schools. These laws cover a few of the more common deceptive tactics that degree mills typically practice. The law in Hawaii is actually pretty weak compared to many other states but Mr. Brunton has managed to chase out most of the degree mills through diligence and hard work, i.e., effective law enforcment.

 

Can you tell me which unaccredited university operated from Hawaii got RA or NA or is there any unaccredited school from Hawaii seeking RA or NA? What makes AUH not a real school? Are you implying that all unaccredited schools operating form Hawaii are not real till they achieve RA or NA?

Peter Chin

 

Tend to agree with you, Peter, about the similarity of status between an Hawaian unaccredited school and one from the Carribean.

However, there are some differences. An Hawaian school must have an office and staff worker in Hawaii and also 25 registered students who are residents of the State of Hawaii. I would say that this is one of the major ways Mr Bruntoon can prosecute and effectively run these operations out of the State.

 

AUH how can they win this case???

AUH is not accredited and not even recognized fro mthe State of Hawaii. The only document that I was able to find and kept me suspicious was one document from the senate of the State of Hawaii and about 15 Signatures on it. Do you know what is this paper about? Is properly used by the AUH?
I think that there tactic isto use this last paper to cover the fact that AUH is not Recognized in the state of hawaii.
One of the person that signed on that document was Senator Tanaka that is now one of the member of Chancellors at AUH.
Can this possible that a former member of the Senate running a diploma mill program?

 

Can this possible is under different names one posting poster?

 

Unaccredited degree ganting institution laws

NJ-Does NJ have such a law? Anyone know how to find it?

 

Re: Unaccredited degree ganting institution laws

I believe that (IIRC) NJ is one of the states that has laws banning the use of unaccredited degrees. If it doesn't though this is still one of the dangers of an unaccredited degree because it seems that more states are passing such laws.

 

N.J.A.C. 6A:9-5.11 Validation of college degrees and professional preparation

http://www.nj.gov/njded/code/title6a/chap9/