A Honolulu department director who was put on paid leave amid a sexual misconduct lawsuit has been back to work for several weeks, the mayor’s office said on Monday.

Enterprise Services Director Guy Kaulukukui stepped away from his job in April after he was sued by a Kamehameha Schools graduate who said he groomed her into having sexual relations while he was her teacher. The suit, which also names Kamehameha Schools and its trustees as defendants, alleges that Kaulukukui was 24 years old at the time, and she was 15.

The case is ongoing in Circuit Court. In an answer filed in court, Kamehameha Schools argued several defenses including that the plaintiff waited too long to file the lawsuit and that if the allegations are true, Kaulukukui was acting outside the scope of his employment. The school system also filed a cross-claim against Kaulukukui that states if the plaintiff was harmed by him, he is the one who should be held responsible.

Kaulukukui is still technically on paid leave from his director’s position but since Sept. 1 has been on a temporary assignment, according to mayoral spokesman Alexander Zannes. He is now handling the Haiku Stairs project, including preparing for the release of a request for bids for management and operation of the stairs and working on land use agreements, Zannes said.

Kaulukukui is still earning his director salary. He did not respond to a request for comment.

“The lawsuit is based upon allegations of conduct 35 years ago and the allegations do not involve the City, or Director’s Kaulukukui’s job performance at the City,” said city spokesman Alexander Zannes. “The City has therefore decided not to conduct an investigation.”

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