Four rapes reported in two weeks

Four alleged rapes on-island within the past two weeks have victim advocates such as Renae Hamilton, executive director of the YWCA, reminding the public that sex assault does happen, even in paradise.

“I think that public perception is that we don’t want to know it happens here, because a lot of us feel we’re very safe,” Hamilton said. “Because we don’t want to believe it happens, it’s kept a secret, and we don’t convict these people.”

On July 22, James Edwin Weatherford, 59, of Anahola, was arrested for first-degree sexual assault. He posted $20,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 28.

Two days later, on July 24, Justin Eric Kreitman, 25, of Hanalei, was arrested on two counts of first-degree sex assault and two counts of third-degree sex assault. Kreitman posted $50,000 bail July 31.

Investigators are reviewing the alleged rape charges against two other men who were arrested July 29. Henry Kamalani Nakaahiki III, 23, of Kekaha, was arrested for first-degree sexual assault, but released pending further investigation; and Nathan Daniel Williams, 23, of Kekaha, who also was arrested for first-degree sexual assault and released pending investigation.

Kaua‘i Police Department Lt. Jon Takamura said in such cases, where the status of the defendant is “RPI,” released pending investigation, evidence is forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for review, with the possibility of being heard by a grand jury.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jennifer Winn, who handles the county’s sex offenses, was off-island yesterday and unavailable for comment.

According to the Bureau of Justice statistics, for 65 percent of rape victims nationwide, their aggressors are not strangers.

However, in a small community like Kaua‘i, that number is closer to 90 percent, Hamilton said.

Because of that, sex assault victims, who already are in a terrifying situation, are even more inclined to stay quiet.

“Let’s say you’re at a family picnic and you know the majority of the people there,” Hamilton said. “In your whole life, how do you ever prepare for your uncle, father’s best friend or someone you’ve trusted and known to sexually assault you?

“We keep thinking only a stranger would do something like that, but that’s not the case the majority of the time.”

In order to make a change, Hamilton added, the community needs to rethink some of its assumptions.

“If we really want permanent solutions, we need to reflect within ourselves, in what our beliefs are about sexual assault. When we hear a victim say this has happened, are we wondering what they were wearing, or about their age? Are we blaming the victim?” she said.

While acknowledging there is a problem is the first step to solving it, fostering an atmosphere in which victims feel comfortable enough to come forward will help put sex offenders behind bars, she added.

“Maybe the offender says it was consensual sex, and in our culture we don’t always believe the victims, sadly,” Hamilton said. “The first thing we should start switching around is looking at what we’re doing to stop offenders — it’s not that potential victims should have to protect themselves, but what are we doing to stop offenders. It’s a shift.”

Those who are victims should call police right away, Takamura said.

“They should call as quickly as they can, right after, for evidence,” he said.

Victim advocates from the YWCA are in tow in such cases of emergency, and are there to help provide support.

The YWCA also has a 24-hour crisis line that is available for victims.

“It’s anonymous and it’s free,” Hamilton said.

“There is always somebody there. We can give information, referrals and we also have crisis counselors who can meet with people at any time.”

The YWCA also provides longer-term counseling for both victims and sexual offenders, she said. The crisis hotline is: 245-4144.

• Amanda C. Gregg, assistant editor/staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or agregg@kauaipubco.com