News and Media Reports

[Puuhale]

When someone with a non-profit is that active in getting their face in front of the media my first suspicion is that they're more interested in securing contributions and grants than the actual cause they're pushing. A non-profit organization can become very profitable for the person in charge.

I'm glad someone in the local media is calling her on her BS. Hopefully this means the other news outlets in town will seek out another source instead of Xian. (Though given how lazy the news media is in general, I doubt it.).

And she's angry that the guys don't find her attractive and don't hit on her.

[DangerBoy]

When someone with a non-profit is that active in getting their face in front of the media my first suspicion is that they're more interested in securing contributions and grants than the actual cause they're pushing. A non-profit organization can become very profitable for the person in charge.

I'm glad someone in the local media is calling her on her BS. Hopefully this means the other news outlets in town will seek out another source instead of Xian. (Though given how lazy the news media is in general, I doubt it.).

Friend or Foe? Kathryn Xian Has Become a Problem for Anti-Trafficking Advocates.

Hawaii human-trafficking activists say Kathryn Xian's in-your-face style is hindering progress and hurting the victims they are trying to help. Now, she's in danger of losing her seat on a statewide task force working to find solutions to the issue she's so closely identified with.

[Lowlys One]

This is what happened to me: one day I was walking through a parking lot and I heard a female voice gurgling "Help. Help me!" I thought I was hearing things until I heard it again so I looked around & saw a guy with a female in a headlock, choking her. I went up to the guy, grabbed him, ripped him off of the girl, and tossed him onto the ground. He got up, making like he was going to attack me and I cocked back my arm and said, "Try brah! You know what going happen!" and he backed off. The cops arrived, separated everyone and did some questioning. I told them what I saw and did so they brought me to the female, who wasn't answering any questions. I told the female to tell the cops what happened. She relented and told them that she was being choked and that I came over and threw him onto the ground. Guess who got arrested. Me, for Assault 3. Other two was let go. How you like that? Anyway, went to trial, trial by jury of my peers. Cops never showed up for three court dates. My lawyer kept on asking for a dismissal, nope! Anyway, cops finally showed up to court, trial went on, female witness lied & said that I came & beat up her boyfriend, that he was bust up and bleeding all over (cops said there wasn't any apparent bodily injury & that the female's statement was that she was being choked when I happened along and intervened), crybaby guy showed a photo of a bruise on his leg and prosecutor ***** stated that he had to go to the hospital. But no receipts or statements from the hospital or doctor was entered as evidence. Jury deliberated for 2 1/2 days and I was found guilty. Asked the judge for a week before going to jail, arranged for things to get done (payments due, etc. - Thank you my good friend! Then went 30 days to OCCC (by the way, I found it to be pretty relaxing, not much to do but talk story, get the inside on crimes on the island, wait to eat, lost some weight, nothing else much to do but sleep & read donated books. If you don't have much to do and want a relaxing vacation, I recommend OCCC as it was the first vacation in a long time where I didn't have to do anything, and I mean anything, nothing. Yeah, I used leave to go to jail, actually I used sick leave (union job) since the company wanted to fire me but I went to see a shrink & explained everything & he gave me a sick note for 35 days, then after I was released, I still had vacation to burn. Pretty slick). Anyway, during the trial, the prosecutor & the cops insisted that I shouldn't have gotten involved & the authorities would have taken care of everything, that I was a vigilante. Whatever, apparently my peers think so too. My philosophy today is to just ignore & walk on by (which I have done about twice now), the authorities will take care of everything. So if anyone needs some help & I'm there, don't count on me, I'll look after number one only, ME! Thank you Hawaii for clarifying my position, and I don't really give a rat's ass cause in a few years I retire and away I go from here. Finally! By the way I was born & raised here, like others relayed, maybe I'm too old school, well I used to be old school in helping where help was needed, not anymore!

Thanks Xqusu for sharing your experience with us, I don't blame you for not getting involved anymore as I would as well!

[Redneck 1]

Friend or Foe? Kathryn Xian Has Become a Problem for Anti-Trafficking Advocates.

Hawaii human-trafficking activists say Kathryn Xian's in-your-face style is hindering progress and hurting the victims they are trying to help. Now, she's in danger of losing her seat on a statewide task force working to find solutions to the issue she's so closely identified with.

Kathryn Xian is waging a war against pimps.

She's arguably the state's most visible human rights activist, and over the last several years has positioned herself in the public eye as an expert on how best to tackle sex trafficking in Hawaii.

But Xian, who heads the nonprofit Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery, is also a polarizing figure whose tactics have many questioning the effectiveness of her crusade. They're concerned she's actually hurting those she's trying to help.

She's become so divisive, in fact, that she's on the verge of losing her position on a statewide task force made up of service providers and law enforcement officials who have a shared objective of locking up traffickers and rehabilitating victims.

Many in the anti-trafficking movement say Kathryn Xian has become ineffective because her abrasive personality divides those working on solutions.

Critics complain she uses her position to denigrate those who disagree with her. She's even attacked people who are on her side, comparing them to the same pimps and predatory traffickers they all want to put behind bars.

Some on the task force say this creates unnecessary friction among those who are supposed to be on the same team. They also say it's stopped meaningful progress in combating human trafficking in the islands.

As one individual put it: "I refuse to enter into a battle with a certain person who is getting so much exposure and potentially damaging the cause as a whole".

But Xian dismisses these concerns as little more than petty insider politics, saying it distracts from the real issue of taking down traffickers and protecting their victims. She's also proud of her role as an agitator, especially in a state where social norms don't always support people who speak their mind.

"There are very few advocates around town that will actually shake the trees every once in awhile to get people to talk about these things," Xian said. "If I give an agency or a person a hard time it's for a good reason. This town is full of people who won't say anything about anyone or any agency, to a fault, even when misconduct or incompetency occurs".

High Profile, High Drama.

Those who have worked with Xian say she has a flair for the dramatic. It's one of the reasons she gets so much media attention. Xian has billed herself as a spokesperson for the anti-trafficking movement in Hawaii, and has developed a cozy relationship with the local press, who rarely quote any other source on the issue.

She raised her profile even more when she ran for Congress in 2014. Even though she only collected 3 percent of the vote, the opportunity gave her a platform to share her views with a wider audience.

Xian frequently appears on TV, radio and in newsprint as an advocate for sex trafficking victims, and she often has harsh criticism for the police and prosecutors who use prostitution charges as leverage to go after pimps.

After Honolulu prosecutors recently dismissed sex assault charges against 16 massage parlor workers, Xian was interviewed by multiple media outlets, including Hawaii Public Radio, KHON2 and the Associated Press. She called the arrests "embarrassing" and "abusive".

Xian is an adept user of social media to get many of her views in the public realm, particularly Facebook and Twitter, where her screeds have reverberated among thousands of people.

Just last week, Xian blasted Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Keith Kaneshiro for opposing a sex trafficking bill that Gov. David Ige said he intends to veto. Kaneshiro wasn't the only high-ranking law enforcement official to oppose the measure which Xian helped draft. Several, including Hawaii Attorney General Doug Chin, have argued that the bill is confusing and would make it more difficult to prosecute pimps.

Xian took out her frustrations online, drawing similarities between prosecutors and the pimps they're supposed to put away.

While the comment resonated with Xian's followers, some of whom responded on Facebook with comments of "disgusting," "despicable" and "makes my stomach turn," it was just one example of many that have been off-putting for those who have worked with her.

"She's very passionate and sincere in what she does, but she's not real good at playing with others," said Judith Clark, executive director of the Hawaii XXXXX Services Network. "She doesn't seem to tolerate opinions that do not agree with hers, and that can make it difficult to work collaboratively with her because she doesn't compromise".

Clark pointed to legislation introduced in 2012 that, if passed, would have granted immunity to XXXXXX arrested on prostitution charges. It also would have expanded mandatory reporting requirements for various professionals, including physicians and psychologists, who encountered XXXXX abuse and neglect.

While Xian supported the measure, Clark's agency testified against it because it would have taken away a XXXXX's right to confidential medical care.

In the case of XXXXXXXX sex trafficking victims, Clark said it would make it less likely that sex workers would seek treatment for sexually transmitted diseases and impede on the ability of street outreach workers to build relationships with homeless XXXXX who might be engaged in survival sex.

The bill ultimately died. But the fact that Clark's organization opposed it was enough for Xian to accuse the Hawaii XXXXX Services Network on Facebook of "promoting XXXXX prostitution". The post has since been removed.

"None of us who disagree with Kathy think that human trafficking is a good thing," Clark said. "Many of us are actively working to provide services to the victims and to prevent people from becoming victims. But we disagree with some of her approaches and we disagree with some of the facts that she uses".

'The Real Issue Is Not About Me'.

Xian's difficulty in working constructively with others has made it harder for policymakers to support her initiatives, which ultimately hurts the people she is trying to help.

Even state Sen. Suzanne Chun Oakland says she had to play referee when she formed a working group to develop Senate Bill 265, the sex trafficking bill now in the governor's veto pile.

Chun Oakland said there were times when Xian would become "too passionate" and she would have to step in to make sure the other stakeholders didn't become upset. But the senator said Xian's input was helpful in the process nonetheless, and that she still wants to see SB265 become law.

But concerns over Xian's in-your-face way of pushing through policy changes is causing other advocates to reconsider whether she is hurting more than she is helping.

Xian is a member of the Hawaii Coalition Against Human Trafficking, which is made up of dozens of victim-services providers, federal, state and local law enforcement officials, and prosecutors from all four counties.

Some of the government agencies include the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Labor, the Hawaii Attorney General's Office and the Honolulu Police Department.

Several non-governmental organizations are also on the coalition, including the Sex Abuse Treatment Center, the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii and the Susannah Wesley Community Center, which provides social services to new immigrants to Hawaii.

The coalition was formed in 2006 for the purpose of bringing these groups together to work collaboratively to fight both sex and labor trafficking.

The idea was that law enforcement and service providers would be able to share resources, help each other with training and ensure that victims were receiving the help they needed no matter who they encountered on the streets, whether it was a police officer or a social worker.

Another goal was to identify, investigate and prosecute trafficking cases, something Hawaii struggled with for many years.

Xian has been involved with the coalition for nearly a decade, either through the Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery or her other nonprofit, Girl Fest, which aims to prevent violence against women through arts and education.

But now the head of the human trafficking coalition, Deputy Attorney General Kevin Takata, wants the group to consider whether Xian can still be an effective member. Xian has been openly critical of one of the coalition's members, Hoola Na Pua, for its plans to build a facility to house sex trafficking victims.

On June 26, Takata sent an email to the commission members notifying them of an upcoming meeting at the end of July and setting out the agenda. One of the topics was whether Xian's nonprofit, the Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery, should remain a member.

"I unsuccessfully attempted to meet with Ms. Xian to discuss her derogatory and false comments about members of the Coalition," Takata said. "Disagreements are bound to occur and through competing opinions and points of view, we can learn and broaden our perspective. However, such discourse must be truthful, respectful, and part of an earnest team effort to combat human trafficking. That is why the Coalition exists".

Xian responded to the email within minutes, defending her actions as well as the comments she made about some of the coalition members on her personal Facebook page, saying it was "entirely unethical for the task force to police anyone's personal freedoms".

"I have attempted to expose serious safety issues committed by a member of this task force and instead (of) further inquiry and investigation, I receive accusations of lying," Xian said. "This is a clear testament to the fact that this agency in question as well as the leadership of this task force will deal with accountability issues with denial and cover up".

She called Takata's email "completely offensive, libelous and defamatory" and said that it would not be a best practice to kick her off the task force for exposing "incompetence or misconduct in the best interest of victims".

Takata declined to elaborate on the concerns about Xian, saying it would not be fair to her or the coalition to comment before the July 31 meeting.

Xian, however, had no qualms talking about her disagreements with Hoola Na Pua, a nonprofit on the task force that is working to build a long-term residential facility for trafficking victims.

Xian has publicly criticized Hoola Na Pua's plans, saying among other things that the staff doesn't have the expertise to deal with sex trafficking victims and that its location is problematic because it can be easily found by pimps. There are nearby roads and bus lines that Xian says make it easy for XXXX to run away.

Jessica Munoz, president of Hoola Na Pua, declined to comment on Xian's characterization of the organization.

Xian said the coalition is "completely ineffective" and contended that it has been that way a long time.

Xian also laughed at the idea that her personality and abrasiveness could somehow derail any progress the coalition might have made, pointing out that she rarely attends meetings.

"They don't need me to collaborate with them to progress forward," Xian said. "They don't need any one agency to collaborate with them to progress forward. In a weird way that gives me a lot more credit than I thought I had at the task force".

She added that any discussions about her personality are nothing more than a distraction and retaliation for speaking out of turn.

"The real issue is not about me. Who cares about me? I don't matter," Xian said. "Focusing it on me is not doing anybody justice. I don't give a shit about my persona but really the safety issues that arose cannot be swallowed up by this stupid character assassination".

[Johnny14]

LOL, have you seen some of the oustanding TSA agents at our HNL terminals? LOL.

Yeah, right when you see that pervert with thick eye glasses and a smirt on his face putting on the gloves in anticipation of full cavity searches for someone he just targeted! Just hope he doesn't bring his buddy to conduct a more "thorough" search with his night stick between his legs!

[Bobb Sledd]

Dead men mos def won't talk, so if your home or AMP has no video, when an assailant enter your home or buisness and you feel threatened or pissed off, shoot to kill, oh and here the important part, after shooting the assailant make sure you fire one into the ceiling. I warned him I would shoot if he didn't stop, he didn't stop, I fired a warning shot into my ceiling, kept coming so I shot him. No one needs to know or would be able to figure out the sequence in which the bullets were fired.

In many jurisdictions firing a warning shot is considered as proof that the shooter had time to think about what they were doing and by extension was not really in imminent fear for their life. Just something else to think about.

[HapaBoy86]

I thought security gates are metal detectors. No wonder TSA failed security tests. And they have the high end technology security machines.

LOL, have you seen some of the oustanding TSA agents at our HNL terminals? LOL.

[Xqusu]

Dead men mos def won't talk, so if your home or AMP has no video, when an assailant enter your home or buisness and you feel threatened or pissed off, shoot to kill, oh and here the important part, after shooting the assailant make sure you fire one into the ceiling. I warned him I would shoot if he didn't stop, he didn't stop, I fired a warning shot into my ceiling, kept coming so I shot him. No one needs to know or would be able to figure out the sequence in which the bullets were fired.

This is what happened to me: one day I was walking through a parking lot and I heard a female voice gurgling "Help. Help me!" I thought I was hearing things until I heard it again so I looked around & saw a guy with a female in a headlock, choking her. I went up to the guy, grabbed him, ripped him off of the girl, and tossed him onto the ground. He got up, making like he was going to attack me and I cocked back my arm and said, "Try brah! You know what going happen!" and he backed off. The cops arrived, separated everyone and did some questioning. I told them what I saw and did so they brought me to the female, who wasn't answering any questions. I told the female to tell the cops what happened. She relented and told them that she was being choked and that I came over and threw him onto the ground. Guess who got arrested. Me, for Assault 3. Other two was let go. How you like that? Anyway, went to trial, trial by jury of my peers. Cops never showed up for three court dates. My lawyer kept on asking for a dismissal, nope! Anyway, cops finally showed up to court, trial went on, female witness lied & said that I came & beat up her boyfriend, that he was bust up and bleeding all over (cops said there wasn't any apparent bodily injury & that the female's statement was that she was being choked when I happened along and intervened), crybaby guy showed a photo of a bruise on his leg and prosecutor ***** stated that he had to go to the hospital. But no receipts or statements from the hospital or doctor was entered as evidence. Jury deliberated for 2 1/2 days and I was found guilty. Asked the judge for a week before going to jail, arranged for things to get done (payments due, etc. - Thank you my good friend! Then went 30 days to OCCC (by the way, I found it to be pretty relaxing, not much to do but talk story, get the inside on crimes on the island, wait to eat, lost some weight, nothing else much to do but sleep & read donated books. If you don't have much to do and want a relaxing vacation, I recommend OCCC as it was the first vacation in a long time where I didn't have to do anything, and I mean anything, nothing. Yeah, I used leave to go to jail, actually I used sick leave (union job) since the company wanted to fire me but I went to see a shrink & explained everything & he gave me a sick note for 35 days, then after I was released, I still had vacation to burn. Pretty slick). Anyway, during the trial, the prosecutor & the cops insisted that I shouldn't have gotten involved & the authorities would have taken care of everything, that I was a vigilante. Whatever, apparently my peers think so too. My philosophy today is to just ignore & walk on by (which I have done about twice now), the authorities will take care of everything. So if anyone needs some help & I'm there, don't count on me, I'll look after number one only, ME! Thank you Hawaii for clarifying my position, and I don't really give a rat's ass cause in a few years I retire and away I go from here. Finally! By the way I was born & raised here, like others relayed, maybe I'm too old school, well I used to be old school in helping where help was needed, not anymore!

[Lowlys One]

I've asked cops about whether its better to wound or kill a robber who breaks into your home and all say better to kill him because if he is wounded, chances are you'll be charged. Mama san should plug that asshole, then put a knife in his hand, make sure the video tape only shows the attempted robbery and not the knife part!

Dead men mos def won't talk, so if your home or AMP has no video, when an assailant enter your home or buisness and you feel threatened or pissed off, shoot to kill, oh and here the important part, after shooting the assailant make sure you fire one into the ceiling. I warned him I would shoot if he didn't stop, he didn't stop, I fired a warning shot into my ceiling, kept coming so I shot him. No one needs to know or would be able to figure out the sequence in which the bullets were fired.

[Harrywang]

Honolulu police respond to armed robberies at 2 suspected massage parlors.

Jul 3, 2015 06:48 AM.

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The Honolulu Police Department is investigating whether the armed robberies of two suspected massage parlors early Friday are related.

Officers responded to the first robbery call at around 1:15 am From the Smile Spa on Ilaniwai Street. Police said a man held up the place at gunpoint.

Initial reports described the suspect as a man in his 40's with tattoos, wearing a military jacket and baseball cap. He was carrying a black handgun. A possible suspect vehicle involved a white, two-door truck with a left tail light out, according to police.

About an hour later, detectives were called to the scene of Hula Girl, located on King Street. The massage parlor was robbed at gunpoint, police said, by two men: one with a handgun and the other with a shotgun.

Police did not have further descriptions on these suspects.

Anyone with information is asked to call police.

Copyright 2015 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.

Did they install that gate as some bro suggested?

Man, I always feel robberies like this is done by rivalries rather than some ill intended individuals. Competition is getting stiff and crowded. Must have plenty of bad blood flowing around. Can't imagine being held up with your pants down in this situation.

[Memahu]

That still not going to work cause the asshole can hide the gun or knife in wasteband or back pocket and mama would never know.

When he walks in.

I thought security gates are metal detectors. No wonder TSA failed security tests. And they have the high end technology security machines.

[DangerBoy]

Who's to say this doesn't happen already with certain underworld elements or certain members of law enforcement?

Exactly seem it happens many times.

[DangerBoy]

Maybe the security's better at the more popular AMPs. Maybe he didn't want to deal with a more popular AMP because that would mean more guys around and possibility that some monger is going to give him trouble to show off in front of his favorite girl and show off in front of the MS. Maybe the location for the two AMPs that got hit is more conducive to a quick getaway. Maybe (and this is more likely) those AMPs happened to be there when the guy decided to rob them.

In any case, it's kind of surprising that this doesn't happen more often when you think about it.

I would think they would have robbed an AMP that consistently pulls in a decent amount of money every day. Maybe Hula's does, but Smile Spa doesn't seem to fit in that category.

[DangerBoy]

You could also be sued by the person breaking into your home / business if they're just wounded. As a friend of mine said, "Dead men don't sue. ".

I've asked cops about whether its better to wound or kill a robber who breaks into your home and all say better to kill him because if he is wounded, chances are you'll be charged. Mama san should plug that asshole, then put a knife in his hand, make sure the video tape only shows the attempted robbery and not the knife part!

[Local1234]

Yeah but anytime you deal with "bouncers", especially when a buisness is kinda sorta legal, illegal as in AMP's, at first you pay the boys to protect your buisness from any outsiders walking in and robbing you, then next thing you know, you paying the guy's to protect yourself from themselves.

Exactly seem it happens many times.