Latest news with #Wahiawa
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Viral Wahiawa bully video sparks community outrage
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The viral video of a Wahiawa woman being beaten up by several teenagers sparked instant outrage with the video being shared over 40,000 times. At one point, 11,000 people were watching an Instagram live feed as outraged parents and kids went to the homes of the alleged bullies to confront them. HPD: Multiple arrests made in connection with viral video attack 'It was an extremely evil act and it was extremely hard to watch,' said Michael Kitchens, who runs the Facebook page Stolen Stuff Hawaii. 'I got emotional, I think most people who watched it got emotional, it was just a feeling of helplessness.' 'I think there's a level of frustration over the inaction taken by authorities, including the Department of Education and the schools,' Kitchens added. He asked his 197,000 members if their child was a victim of bullying and if anything was done by the school. 'I have a thread with hundreds of comments from parents who have children who have been bullied and the inaction taken by the administration, it's really sad and I think it's a glaring problem here with bullying and the steps being done to resolve it, it's just not happening,' Kitchens said. KHON2 reached out to the Department of Education multiple times for an interview and comment on bullying at schools but didn't hear back until late DOE issued the following statement: 2025.05.22-Leilehua-HS-Wahiawa-MS-LetterDownload A spokesperson for the victim's family said the family was as surprised as everyone else watching the video for the first time on Wednesday, because the victim never told her family about the incident that happened back in April. 'A lot of times with bullying, especially with kids, they're scared because if it gets out that they told it could have major repercussions and that could be very intimidating,' explained Dr. Danielle Rae, a psychologist who is also a former school crisis counselor. She said it's important to talk to a trusted source about being bullied, like a family member, church member or guidance counselor. 'If your child tells you they're being bullied it's a good idea to talk to the school and bring in other advice or other council before going to the other parent, unless you know that family,' Dr. Rae added. 'And that's to resolve it civilly, it kind of takes a team of how do we best go about this to protect the child per see.' Hawai'i students learn life-changing lessons from the dead The victim's family said they appreciate the public's support and ask that no one retaliate against the others involved. A statement read: 'The family would like to sincerely thank friends, family and the public for the outpouring of love, support, and concern during this incredibly difficult time. Your kind words and compassion have meant more to them than they can expressed in words. At this moment, the family respectfully ask for their privacy as they try to process what has happened and figure out their next steps. They are still coming to terms with everything, and need time and space to do so. In the meantime, we ask not to contact the family. The family also kindly asks that no one retaliate or act out against any of the other partiesinvolved.' Dr. Rae said it's important for students to speak out especially if there are threats to their safety. As for the bullies, she said it could be the influence of friends or a loss of a family member that triggers their behavior. 'It could be some other type of loss, it could be a way of coping or needing to feel self-worth so 'let me intimidate another so I can feel good about myself,' there could be a lot of reasons which is why I highly recommend if it is your child that's either being bullied or doing the bullying, they get into therapy so they can resolve what the emotional issues are going on versus retaliation and they end up doing something more horrific,' Dr. Rae added. Check out more news from around Hawaii 'I think the answer is to come together as a community to not only deal with this issue but every time bullying pushes its head we have to apply pressure to people in power to ensure things are being handled before they get out of hand,' Kitchens added. 'I think in general people want to help and show support for children when they experience this, and I think they want to see the people who did it are held responsible and we need to reach kids to help and not hurt,' he added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Daily Mail
24-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Hawaiians confront teen bullies who mercilessly attacked disabled woman
A group of teens who attacked a disabled woman in Hawaii were tracked down by locals who meted out their own brand of vigilante justice. The bullies - aged 13, 14, 16, and 18 - were hunted down after video emerged of them beating the woman, named only as Carly, in April. It sparked widespread anger among the Wahiawa community, who decided to track down the culprits and confront them. The video shows the teens surrounding the confused woman, 21, who tried to shield herself as she was kicked and punched in the head. The victim remained crouched on the ground and did not fight back as the attackers take turns assaulting her, with local spokesman Michael Kitchens branding their behavior 'evil.' The community members livestreamed themselves as they went looking for the bullies at their homes, with as many as 11,000 people watching at one point, as reported by Hawaii News Now. Footage shows dozens of students and parents heading to the suspects' residences, with someone climbing up a building's exterior at one point. The vigilantes knocked on their doors and demanded the bullies show their faces. The eldest bully in the group, 18-year-old Jasmine Keola, spoke to KHON2 as she was released from jail on Thursday after chargers against her were dropped. 'It was incidents on the bus that happened and it just got way out of hand. So I took it upon myself, I got pressured actually to fighting the girl,' Keola claimed. 'I didn't want to fight her. but I did anyway. So I talked to her, but again I'm sorry for what I did. I didn't mean to do it.' Keola's excuse was met with derision by locals who say she's shown little remorse and now seems keen to try to play the victim. The other teen bullies were also released from jail as the case against them was dismissed. But investigators say this is only because they need to gather further evidence. The mother of two of the teens involved also apologized, saying: 'I just wanted to apologize to the family of the girl that got hurt in that video. 'And I didn't mean for it to go this far. But I apologize for my children's actions and I hope that you guys can forgive my kids.' The bullies attend Leilehua High School and Wahiawa Middle School. The school district said it is co-operating with authorities. The victim's family told local media they were also shocked to see the video, as the young woman never told them about the assault. They issued a statement thanking the public for their support and also asking people to refrain from seeking revenge. 'The family would like to sincerely thank friends, family and the public for the outpouring of love, support, and concern during this incredibly difficult time,' their statement read. 'Your kind words and compassion have meant more to them than they can expressed in words. 'At this moment, the family respectfully ask for their privacy as they try to process what has happened and figure out their next steps. 'They are still coming to terms with everything, and need time and space to do so. In the meantime, we ask not to contact the family. 'The family also kindly asks that no one retaliate or act out against any of the other parties involved.'
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Daily Mail
'Evil' teen bullies get taste of vigilante 'justice' after they were filmed beating disabled woman
A group of teen bullies got a taste of vigilante justice after they were filmed beating up a young disabled woman in Hawaii. Four teenagers - aged 13, 14, 16 and 18 - were arrested after horrific footage showed them surrounding and assaulting the confused woman, 21, who tried to shield herself as she was kicked and punched in the head. The victim, named only as Carly, remained crouched on the ground and did not fight back as the attackers take turns assaulting her. The brutal April attack was posted online earlier this month and sparked widespread anger from the Wahiawa community, who took matters into their own hands and hunted down the suspects. The community members livestreamed themselves as they went looking for the bullies at their homes, with as many as 11,000 people watching at one point, as reported by Hawaii News Now. Footage shows dozens of students and parents heading to the suspects' residences, with someone climbing up a building's exterior at one point. The vigilantes knocked on their doors and demanded the bullies came out and meet with them. The eldest bully in the group, 18-year-old Jasmine Keola, spoke to KHON2 as she was released from jail on Thursday after chargers against her were dropped. 'It was incidents on the bus that happened and it just got way out of hand. So I took it upon myself, I got pressured actually to fighting the girl,' Keola claimed. 'I didn't want to fight her. but I did anyway. So I talked to her, but again I'm sorry for what I did, I didn't mean to do it.' Keola's excuse was met with derision by locals who say she's shown little remorse and now seems keen to try and play the victim. The other teen bullies were also released from jail. The case against them has been dismissed - but investigators say this is only because they need to gather further evidence with a mind to press stronger charges in the near-future. The mother of two of the teens involved also apologized, saying: 'I just wanted to apologize to the family of the girl that got hurt in that video. 'And I didn't mean for it to go this far. But I apologize for my children's actions and I hope that you guys can forgive my kids.' The bullies attend Leilehua High School and Wahiawa Middle School. The school district said they are cooperating with authorities. The victim's family told local media they were also shocked to see the video, as the young woman never told them about the assault. They issued a statement thanking the public for their support and also asking people to refrain from seeking revenge. 'The family would like to sincerely thank friends, family and the public for the outpouring of love, support, and concern during this incredibly difficult time. Your kind words and compassion have meant more to them than they can expressed in words,' their statement read. 'At this moment, the family respectfully ask for their privacy as they try to process what has happened and figure out their next steps. They are still coming to terms with everything, and need time and space to do so. In the meantime, we ask not to contact the family. 'The family also kindly asks that no one retaliate or act out against any of the other parties involved.'
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
HPD: Multiple arrests made in connection with viral video attack
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Four individuals have been arrested in connection with a viral video attack, according to Honolulu Police Department. Man arrested in connection to Nanakuli attempted murder HPD took to social media to announce that the arrests were made in the early evening hours of Wednesday, May 21. Officials said those arrested include three juveniles, a 13-year-old male, a 14-year-old female and a 16-year-old 18-year-old female was arrested in connection to the incident. A video of the incident went viral on social media where HPD said a 21-year-old female victim was attacked in the Wahiawa area. Leilehua High School released a letter to parents addressing the incident and are working with HPD and the families involved. HPD said charges are pending. 'If you witness a crime or are a victim of a crime, please report it immediately to HPD by calling 911,' said Honolulu police in a social media post. Check out more news from around Hawaii This is a developing story. KHON2 will release more information as details are provided. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Local health center urges parents to book school physicals early
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Wahiawā Health, a federally qualified health center, is urging parents and guardians to book school physicals for their keiki in advance. With the 2024-2025 school year finishing up, the 2025-2026 school year may seem like a ways away, but experts are saying booking appointments in advance is the best idea. Scrapped to saved: Burnt playground to be replaced in Wahiawa Wahiawā Health offers school and sports physicals, as well as immunizations and tuberculosis clearance for keiki entering preschool, beginning a new year in the K-12 system and those entering college. Immunizations are required for all students entering childcare or preschool, kindergarten, seventh grade and post-secondary school, as well as for students who are beginning school in the islands for the first time. Booking appointments ahead of time is ideal, given that appointment slots tend to fill up closer to the beginning of the school a full list of school health requirements, visit the state Department of Health website. To schedule an appointment at Wahiawā Health, call them at (808) 622-1618 and download the necessary medical forms at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
