Ever since a particularly brutal sexual assault at a nearby hotel, Hanalei-area residents supposedly have been gossip mongers and amateur detectives. Some of them say the talk at stores and between neighbors has included names of people who reportedly were
Ever since a particularly brutal sexual assault at a nearby hotel, Hanalei-area residents supposedly have been gossip mongers and amateur detectives. Some of them say the talk at stores and between neighbors has included names of people who reportedly were questioned by police in connection with the attack but were not arrested.
So when 20 residents had a face-to-face with Kaua’i Police officials during a Hanalei Community Association meeting Tuesday, the locals hoped they’d learn if any of the rumors are true – and who or what they should watch out for to prevent more attacks.
The residents – at least the ones who pointedly asked for hard information – came away disappointed. Even though, as one woman claimed, “Everybody in town hears it’s so and so,” the six officers who met with the Hanalei folks wouldn’t confirm a description of the suspect nor much else about the case.
They did, however, affirm what the residents should already have known: Don’t assume you’re safe from crime – any kind of crime. And get used to drug-dealing and other unlawful activity, the officers said. That’s the Kaua’i of today.
They’re right. The island where people years ago thought they’d found paradise, and where some people refuse to admit it’s something less, is like most of the rest of the planet. Burglars case homes and break in. Drug users steal to support their habits. Violent monsters look for prey.
Watch out for the creeps. That’s the unpleasant reality.
For people who think the long arm of the law isn’t long enough, sorry. Police say they’re doing all they can to keep the peace.
“Yeah, we all know who the suspected drug dealers are on the island,” said Lt. Martin Curnan. “But it takes time to build a case. They’ll be caught sooner or later.” Don’t take that to mean the police are any less bothered by lawlessness than their constituents, he added.
“We’re concerned, too. One case is too many for us,” he said.
Nevertheless, Hanalei sometimes feels like “the stepchild of Kaua’i,” said George Anderson, vice president of the community association. “It’s very seldom that we see an elected official here, though we have seen (County Councilman) Gary Hooser here before.” Hooser, one of two council candidates in this fall’s election who attended the meeting (John Barretto, who’s on the comeback trail after a 14-year absence from the council, was the other), said the county has enough money to hire more cops.
There just aren’t enough good applicants, he said.
“Sign me up. I’ll go get” the drug dealers, one woman volunteered.
Another woman told the police delegation that she and other females “want to be your eyes and ears. We’re out there every day walking on the beach and riding our bikes.” That’s all fine, police officials said. Just be careful. The world has caught up with Hanalei.
TGI editor Pat Jenkins can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 227) or pjenkins@pulitzer.net
