HONOLULU -- A jury this week awarded a former Hawaiian Airlines flight attendant more than $500,000 in a sexual harassment lawsuit.

The jury returned the verdict against Hawaiian Airlines and a pilot who has been with the company for 20 years.

Attorneys for the former flight attendant said their client feels gratitude and vindication because this sends a strong message that this kind of conduct will not be tolerated in the workplace.

The incident took place aboard a Hawaiian Airlines jet in October 2002 as passengers were deplaning in Maui, according to court documents.

Flight attendant Nancy Ho was standing in front of the cockpit door when it happened, her attorneys said.

"The aircraft pilot came up behind her and grabbed her right buttock," Ho's attorney, Bruce B. Kim, said.

Kim said that Ho screamed and jumped into passengers as they disembarked. She reported the incident to her supervisors several times that day, he said.

"But she was compelled to work through the entire day on the aircraft with the pilot who had grabbed her and also deal with continuing advances that he was making toward her that day," Kim said.

Ho made several more attempts to get Hawaiian Airlines to take her complaint seriously, her attorney said. However, she said the airline failed to conduct a complete investigation and take adequate disciplinary action to stop further harassment.

"There were significant shortfalls in the investigation of this case," Kim said.

Ho also asked Hawaiian to prevent pilot Gary Kissinger from flying with her again.

"And that request was basically ignored," Kim said.

Ho quit her job at Hawaiian in late 2003.

"She intended to make this her career and unfortunately, that dream was taken away," Kim said.

Ho's attorneys said Kissinger apologized for pinching Ho's buttocks, but claims he did not grab her.

Ho's attorneys claimed that Kissinger has not been suspended and still flies for Hawaiian.

Hawaiian Airlines responded with a written statement from Hawaiian Airlines Vice President of Public Affairs saying, "Hawaiian Airlines does not tolerate harassment of any kind involving its employees and we took immediate and appropriate action in this case. As such, we were surprised by the verdict and do not believe the facts support a finding against the company, and we are considering an appeal."