Man convicted of trafficking prostitutes ADVERTISING Man convicted of trafficking prostitutes HONOLULU (AP) — A man is facing deportation to China after being convicted of trafficking Chinese women to work as prostitutes in Hawaii massage parlors. The Honolulu prosecuting attorney’s
Man convicted of trafficking prostitutes
HONOLULU (AP) — A man is facing deportation to China after being convicted of trafficking Chinese women to work as prostitutes in Hawaii massage parlors.
The Honolulu prosecuting attorney’s office announced Thursday that Wei Li was convicted after pleading no contest to racketeering-related charges.
Prosecuting Attorney Keith Kaneshiro said this is the first time a foreign national has been prosecuted and convicted of trafficking foreign women into Hawaii for prostitution.
Kaneshiro says confidential informants helped prove the women he brought worked in the Mayflower and Empire Relax massage parlors in Honolulu.
Now-closed Mayflower owner Biyu Situ was convicted Monday in federal court of bribing agents to protect her business from prostitution raids.
State investigates new cases of rat lungworm disease
WAILUKU, Maui (AP) — Maui health officials said six cases of rat lungworm disease were reported on the island during the past three months, while the island has seen only two cases of the disease in the past decade.
Three of the cases were confirmed, while a seventh case involves a Maui woman who thinks she contracted the parasite on the Big Island, Maui District Health Officer Dr. Lorrin Pang said Tuesday.
Rat lungworm disease is a condition in which parasitic worm larvae infect people’s brains. It is carried by rats and transmitted by snails and slugs.
State epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park said there is an average of about 10 rat lungworm cases each year statewide and that the recent spike is concerning. A vast majority of Hawaii’s cases are reported on the Big Island.
Bill for domestic violence training for beauticians dies
HONOLULU (AP) — A bill that would have required beauticians to undergo training to spot signs of domestic violence has died.
The idea behind the proposal was that hairdressers and manicurists often have close relationships with their clients. Some think they could spot bumps or bruises and play a role battling domestic violence.
A similar proposal became law in Illinois in January.
The Hawaii bill would have required a one-time, three-hour training program. It was pushed by the Women’s Legislative Caucus.
