Lawsuit targets
camp operator
State consumer protection officials have filed a lawsuit against the operator of a Maui summer camp that was closed down last month.
The lawsuit filed by the state Office of Consumer Protection alleged camp operator Raymond L. Thomas, who was also known as Llew Lazarus, committed deceptive business practices in operating the Aloha Adventure Camps, state officials said yesterday.
The lawsuit said Thomas operated the camp in Makawao with a phony insurance certificate and failed to refund money to campers after the camp was closed July 7.
Aloha Adventure Camps was operated on land owned by the Hawaii Girl Scouts, which terminated the camp's lease after learning Thomas did not have insurance.
The Girl Scout Council of Hawaii began reviewing the lease for Aloha Adventure Camps after being told of alleged improper remarks made by Thomas to camp participants, Hawaii Girl Scout Chief Executive Officer Gail Mukaihata Hannemann has said.
The lawsuit seeks restitution for the families who lost money after the camp closed, as well as up to $10,000 in civil penalties for each violation of state consumer protection laws.
More than 100 campers and their families have filed complaints with the Office of Consumer Protection.
Thomas left Maui without leaving a forwarding address or information about how campers or their families could contact him, and his whereabouts remain unknown, agency officials said.
www.state.hi.us/dcca/ocp/
