Together we can end sexual slavery in Hawaiʻi. To bring freedom to victims held in bondage, we must find the courage to understand what's happening in our own communities, often in places we pass by every day. Watch the following videos to see what sex trafficking looks like in the islands. Then, explore the articles below to learn about the history of our efforts to disrupt our state's slave trade, enact victim-centered policy reforms, and provide hope to those who need it most. Note: please provide attribution to Imua Alliance when using our videos.
"Lineups"
Hawai'i is home to a prolific slave trade. Each day, sex buyers visit local brothels to see the "lineup" of women and children available for purchase. Important note: this video was captured by an undercover Imua Alliance advocate posing as a sex buyer during a night of outreach to potential victims.
Media Coverage of Imua Alliance
"Hawai'i Needs Stronger Laws to Protect Trafficking Victims" by Annalisa Burgos, Hawai'i News Now (January 20, 2024)
"Local Advocate Sheds Light On Human Trafficking" by Lillian Tsang, Hawai'i Public Radio (January 17, 2024)
"Advocates hope for stronger anti-trafficking laws in Hawai'i" by Shanila Kabir, KITV News (January 11, 2024)
"A message About the Maui Fires" by Kris Coffield, Humanity In Action (August 15, 2023)
"Gov. Green inks pair of bills" by Staff, Hawai'i Tribune Herald (June 15, 2023)
"Gov. Green signs bills to protect survivors of sexual violence" by Shelby Mattos, KITV (June 14, 2023)
"State school board shake up raises questions" by Esme Infante, Honolulu Star-Advertiser (June 14, 2023)
"Media Literacy is essential to democracy" by Kris Coffield, Honolulu Star-Advertiser (April 16, 2023)
"UH sex misconduct bill tackles growing problem" by Esme Infante, Honolulu Star-Advertiser (March 15, 2023)
"Rep. Jeanne Kapela introduces sex trafficking bill to protect keiki" by Nathan Christophel (January 26, 2023)
"Human Trafficking Prevention Month with Imua Alliance" by Dallis Ontiveros, KHON (January 25, 2023)
"Imua Alliance introducing bills to provide more resources to trafficking survivors" by Chloe Marklay (January 13, 2023)
"New local effort to help sex trafficking victims recover" by Russell Subiono, Hawai'i Public Radio (January 27, 2022)
"Legislation to end moped sales dies" by Tom Linger, West Hawaii Today (February 13, 2021)
"State of the Judiciary Address: 2021" by Hawai'i Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald (January 27, 2021)
"Human trafficking, sexual violence cases triple amid pandemic" by 'A'ali'i Dukelow, KITV (January 11, 2021)
"Local nonprofits remind public of human trafficking dangers" by KHON2 (January 11, 2021)
"Ending gender violence should be a pandemic priority" by Kris Coffield, Honolulu Star-Advertiser (December 3, 2020)
"Child abuse bill advances" by John Burnett, Hawai'i Tribune Herald (June 25, 2020)
"Buying sex from a minor considered a form of sex trafficking, says Senate Bill" by Staff, KITV (June 23, 2020)
"With Sexual Violence Survivors Under Attack, Hawaii Must Lead" by John Gabrielli, Civil Beat (June 6, 2020)
"Do You Buy Fuel? Then Be Very Afraid!" by Tom Yamachika, Honolulu Civil Beat (February 20, 2020)
"Is An $868,000 Affordable? Hawaii Senators Say No" by Christina Jedra, Honolulu Civil Beat (February 11, 2020)
"Kansas using private prison where Hawaii inmates murdered" by Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star (August 30, 2019)
"A New Hawai'i law makes it easier to erase a prostitution conviction" by Michelle Lou, CNN (July 3, 2019)
"Hawai'i law on prostitution convictions is first in nation" by Audrey McAvoy, Associated Press (July 2, 2019)
"Former sex worker claims police pressured her to perform sex acts" by Nicole Tam, KITV (February 24, 2019)
"Invest in education to end sex trafficking" by Kris Coffield, Honolulu Star-Advertiser (October 25, 2018)
"More than 100 rally for pesticide ban" by Kevin Dayton and Tyne Phillips, Honolulu Star-Advertiser (April 10, 2018)
"Federal court of appeals ruled Hawaii's gun law violates constitutional rights" by Sara Mattison, KOHN2 (July 24, 2018)
"Sex-trafficking advocates will advocate for 'hotline poster' bill" by Tesia Worley, KITV (January 25, 2018)
"Lawmakers seek to fund care center for sexually-exploited teens" by Jim Mendoza, Hawaii News Now (February 3, 2017)
"Local groups launch hotline to help human trafficking victims" by Ashley Nagaoka, Hawaii News Now (January 11, 2017)
"Hawaii lawmakers promise reform for confined fisherman" by Martha Mason, Associated Press (September 18, 2016)
"Alleged pimp held in beating is first charged under new law" by Rob Shikina, Honolulu Star-Advertiser (August 16, 2016)
"Laws on rape kits, prostitution enacted by Gov. Ige" by Sophie Cooke, Honolulu Star-Advertiser (July 6, 2016)
"Hawaii becomes last state to ban sex trafficking" by Cathy Bussewitz, Associated Press (July 5, 2016)
"Advocates push sex trafficking bill, some sex workers oppose" by Cathy Bussewitz, Associated Press (March 23, 2016)
"Sex-trafficking bill separates minors from adults" by Cathy Bussewitz, Associated Press (March 3, 2016)
"Gov. Ige rejects eight bills, includes sex trafficking and UH" by Kevin Dayton, Honolulu Star-Advertiser (July 14, 2015)
"Hawaii Gov. David Ige vetoes bill to ban sex trafficking" by Cathy Bussewitz, Associated Press (July 14, 2015)
"Governor vetoes eight bills, explains objections to lawmakers" by Staff, KHON2 (July 14, 2015)
"Measure goes after sex traffickers" by Jim Mendoza, Hawaii News Now (January 21, 2015)
"Gov. Abercrombie signs 'revenge porn' bill into law" by Chris Tanaka, Hawaii News Now (June 20, 2014)
"Legislative debate, prostitution arrests put HPD back in spotlight" by Malia Zimmerman, FOX News (May 3, 2014)
"Lawmakers weigh revenge porn today" by Megan Moseley, Hawaii Tribune-Herald (April 29, 2014)
"Hawaii Lawmakers Rightfully Back Revenge Porn Ban" by Kris Coffield, Hawaii Reporter (April 28, 2014)
"Political Action Group takes offense to store marquee" by Lynn Kawano, Hawaii News Now (March 31, 2014)
"IMUAlliance calls for Apology over 'Hoes' Sign" by Malia Zimmerman, Hawaii Reporter (March 31, 2014)
"Exemption for police sex with prostitutes faces vote" by Purna Nemani, Courthouse News Service (March 24, 2014)
"Time to Ban Revenge Porn" by Kris Coffield, Hawaii Reporter (March 2, 2014)
"Stop Trafficking in Hawai'i" by Malia Zimmerman, Hawaii Reporter TV (February 20, 2014)
"Funding for cooler schools advances" by Nanea Kalani, Honolulu Star-Advertiser (February 4, 2014)
"Bill on Controversial Conversion Therapy Gets Hearing" by Malia Zimmerman, Hawaii Reporter (January 27, 2014)
"HB 744: Interview with Kris Coffield" with Beth-Ann Kozlovich, Hawaii Public Radio (January 21, 2014)
"Lawmakers Seek to Outlaw Conversion Therapy" by Chad Blair, Honolulu Civil Beat (January 17, 2014)
"Hawaii Lawmakers May Consider Revenge Porn Bill" by Chad Blair, Honolulu Civil Beat (January 17, 2014)
"Keiki Caucus Includes Conversion Therapy Ban" Malia Zimmerman, Hawaii Reporter (January 16, 2014)
"Revenge Porn To Be Banned Under Proposal" by Malia Zimmerman, Hawaii Reporter (January 16, 2014)
"'14 Legislature Could Consider Ban on Conversation Therapy" by Chad Blair, Honolulu Civil Beat (October 24, 2013)
"Abercrombie Signs Human Trafficking Bills" by Malia Zimmerman, Hawaii Reporter (July 2, 2013)
"Lawmakers ramp up efforts to halt isles’ trafficking trade" by Allison Schaeffers, Honolulu Star-Advertiser (June 16, 2013)
"New laws target sex exploitation of kids" by Sarah Zoellick, Honolulu Star-Advertiser (May 10, 2013)
"Lawmakers Balk at Bills Targeting Election Flubs" by Nathan Eagle, Honolulu Civil Beat (May 10, 2013)
"Hawaii Lawmakers Pass Four Anti-Slavery Bills" by Malia Zimmerman, Hawaii Reporter (May 2, 2013)
"Teachers Union Reaches Deal With State On New Contract" by Nathan Eagle, Honolulu Civil Beat (March 25, 2013)
"Pot Bill Exempts Those Under 18 From Penalties" by Gregg Kakesako, Honolulu Star-Advertiser (March 20, 2013)
"Hawaii 6th to Enact Vacating Conviction Law" by Malia Zimmerman, Hawaii Reporter (July 3, 2012)
"Teacher Evaluations: Coming Soon to A School Near You?" by Nathan Eagle, Honolulu Civil Beat (March 30, 2012)
'Hawaiian Lawmakers Push Akaka Bill at State Level" by Chad Blair, Honolulu Civil Beat (March 25, 2011)