A male Kapa’a Elementary School teacher remains on “department-directed leave” while school and police officials investigate allegations that he fondled or otherwise molested female students at the school. Kauai Police Department officials confirmed that the man was arrested on two
A male Kapa’a Elementary School teacher remains on “department-directed leave” while school and police officials investigate allegations that he fondled or otherwise molested female students at the school.
Kauai Police Department officials confirmed that the man was arrested on two counts of alleged sexual assault, and was released pending further investigation and the case being presented to county prosecutors.
State Department of Education Kaua’i district school superintendent Danny Hamada said yesterday that he placed the teacher, whom he would not identify, on DOE-directed leave pending the outcome of separate school and police investigations.
According to unsubstantiated reports, there may be as many as nine young female alleged victims, and some of their families have already retained legal counsel.
Hamada said the alleged incidents took place on the Kapa’a Elementary School campus this school year, but because of the ongoing investigations would give no further specifics.
Where the DOE investigation is concerned, the school’s administration, starting with Principal Marilyn Asahi, conducts its own inquiry, said Hamada. Asahi yesterday did not return a telephone call seeking comment.
“The school must conduct an investigation, too,” Hamada said.
According to police sources, some of the parents of the alleged victims wouldn’t allow police detectives to interview their children for the purposes of the KPD investigation.
The teacher has been with the DOE for a few years, and passed a background check before he was employed, said Hamada.
“You take it seriously,” he said of the allegations. “Foremost is the safety of all kids on campus.”
Staff Writer Paul C. Curtis can be reached at mailto:pcurtis@pulitzer.net or 245-3681 (ext. 224).
