The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is suing Hawaiian Electric Company, claiming the utility discriminated against an employee with an eye condition.

The EEOC filed the suit today in federal court in Honolulu. According to the complaint, Patrick Obado, a mail machine operator with Hawaiian Electric, applied to be a meter reader last year but was denied the position solely because of his visual impairment.

The EEOC says Obado was fully capable of performing the job duties of a meter reader despite his disability. 

Hawaiian Electric says the company is aware of the allegations but can’t comment on a personnel matter. The company says it’s committed to being a fair and equal-opportunity employer.

Hawaiian Electric and its subsidiaries provide energy to 95 percent of the state.