Hawaii Courts Filling with Sex Abuse Cases

By Paul Drewes
KITV4-TV
April 21, 2020

https://www.kitv.com/story/42061207/hawaii-courts-filling-with-sex-abuse-cases

Fall out from a slew of recently filed sexual abuse lawsuits has a trustee from Punahou Schools stepping down.

According to the school, Monica McLaren voluntarily stepped down from the Board, after her husband Christopher McLaren was named in one of several civil cases against Punahou.

Hawaii courts have filled with last minute filings for sexual abuse cases.

"There was sexual contact within months of first meeting me outside of Kekuhaupi'o gym," said former Kamehameha Schools student Daniel Kaohimaunu. His revelation of abuse at Kamehameha Schools also comes with a lawsuit

One of dozens over the past few weeks before a filing deadline for sexual abuse cases.

"We have been getting calls 3-5 times a day, sometimes more than that," said Honolulu attorney Randall Rosenberg.

His law office recently filed 70 other child sex abuse cases, some stretching back into the 1950s.

"This could the last chance to file that caused people to call. in some instances, I was the first person they told about the abuse that may have happened 50-60 years ago," added Rosenberg.

The statute of limitations for filing a civil sex abuse case is now 2 years from the time of the incident, or two years after the victim turns 18. Lawmakers had extended the deadline for older cases to last week, April 24th. A bill was brought up this legislative session to extend the deadline again, but it was put on hold because of the pandemic.

The extension was important because experts believe it can take years for victims to talk about the abuse. That is, if they are ever able to talk about it.

"Years later, I looked back and it angers me that this adult man blamed me as an accomplice," stated Kaohimaunu.

His case is one of a half dozen leveled against Kamehameha Schools, which issued this statement in response to the numerous filings, "We are saddened by the tragic events described by our former Kamehameha students. We honor and appreciate the strength and courage it took for them to come forward."

Kamehameha Schools is not the only institution being accused of allowing sexual abuse or assaults to take place.

Recent high profile cases have also leveled accusations against instructors, coaches and administration of Punahou School.

Other private schools, and public ones have also had cases filed against them, along with organizations like the Boy Scouts and the Roman Catholic Church.

"We get these aspects of society with organizations both large and small. Wherever you have children, you have pedophiles," stated Rosenberg.

Honolulu Bishop Larry Silva said in a recent sermon, "I cannot tell you how it turns my stomach to read of the abuse these people have suffered." The Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu issued a statement which stated, "The Roman Catholic Diocese remains committed to treating victims of sexual abuse with compassion and respect, with the goal of providing just resolution."

For some plaintiffs like Kaohimaunu, it is a resolution he has waited decades to receive..

"I'm finally starting to heal and love myself. I deserve that. Everybody does," stated Kaohimaunu.