LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i First Lady Monica Kawakami and the Kaua‘i Committee on the Status of Women (KCSW) unveiled new signage to curb human trafficking and launched a Human Trafficking Awareness Campaign at the Mo‘ikeha Building on Tuesday.
Battling misty sprinkles that served as a natural blessing for the new signs, more than 70 people, including representatives from the Kaua‘i Police Department, the KCSW, the YWCA of Kaua‘i, the Kaua‘i County Council, Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami and other city agencies demonstrated their support for raising awareness on human trafficking.
“Growing up here on Kaua‘i and teaching at Kapa‘a Middle School for more than 20 years, I can strongly say that teachers have seen, heard, and have at times intervened in issues that our community has dealt with,” said Monica Kawakami, who is leading the initiative.
“Many of these issues are heartbreaking and often times it is easy for the general public to say ‘these things don’t happen here;’ that these issues are ‘big city problems.’ Human trafficking is one of these issues. It is a tricky issue to resolve, hard to detect, and it is heartbreaking to know that victims want to escape but don’t how to get help.”
The new signage, which was done in various languages, offers phone numbers victims may call or text if they need help. The signs will be placed in restroom facilities of county parks.
Kaua‘i Police Chief Todd Raybuck offered his thanks to all the partners for the opportunity to raise awareness on the human trafficking issue and reflect on his experience during his tenure in law enforcement.
“In my career, I’ve unfortunately witnessed too often the sex trafficking that occurs out in the open. It really is the underbelly of society where many victims fall prey to that lifestyle and none of them are there by choice,” Raybuck said.
“And, as the First Lady said, ‘this is not just a big city problem.’ Last year, here in Hawai‘i, the FBI assisted in rescuing six juveniles from human trafficking. This is a problem in our state, but the first step to change is awareness and educating others on how to identify victims, and most importantly, how to rescue them from this crime.”
County Council Vice Chair Kipukai Kuali‘i said awareness is the ability to shine a light on a problem.
“Educating people on how to help or where they can go to get help is critical to address human trafficking. Together, we must stop this exploitation of people, especially children, that robs them of their freedom, innocence and dignity,” Kuali‘i said.
“A big mahalo nui loa to our county’s First Lady Monica Kawakami, to the entire Kaua‘i Committee on the Status of Women, to Mayor Kawakami, and to everyone involved in making this campaign work.”
Jessica Munoz, founder of Ho‘ola Na Pua and Pearl Haven, was not able in attend in person but provided her thoughts through a message read by Kaleo Carvalho of the mayor’s office.
“Human trafficking takes on many forms in the state of Hawai‘i — from sex trafficking to labor trafficking. The issue can no longer be overlooked, but must be a priority issue with strategic solutions brought to the forefront. I am honored to support the initiatives here on Kaua‘i, and believe this can start a chain reaction for the rest of the counties here in our Aloha state to follow,” Munoz said.
The initiative also earned a mayoral proclamation encouraging people to get involved and learn the warning signs of human trafficking.
Ho‘ola Na Pua is hosting a statewide sign waving campaign to raise awareness about human trafficking and exploitation. The Kaua‘i event will be held on July 30 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Rice Street fronting the historic County Building. To preregister, visit the website www.hoolanapua.org.
If you are a victim of human trafficking, please call 1-888-373-7888 or 808-245-6362. You may also text HELP to 233733. For more information on the human trafficking issue, please visit humantraffickinghotline.org.
For information on the YWCA Kaua‘i and services, visit ywcakauai.org. The YWCA’s hotline is available 24/7 by calling 808-245-6362.
The KCSW is part of the Hawai‘i State Commission on the Status of Women, which strives to advance the status of women and girls by acting as a catalyst for positive change through advocacy, education, collaboration and program development. For more information on the KCSW, visit www.kauai.gov/kccsw.
