Company denies selling sex tours

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

A New York-based human-rights organization has filed a complaint with the state attorney general's office, accusing a Hawai'i travel agency of promoting prostitution and sex tours to Thailand.

Equality Now is asking the state to revoke the license of Video Travel, a Honolulu travel agency operated by Melvin Hamaguchi. The group also wants authorities to take legal action against the company and Hamaguchi for allegedly promoting prostitution.

Hamaguchi yesterday said that the group's allegations were "totally hogwash." He said his tours and Web site do not promote prostitution.

"I just show (customers) around. What they do is up to them," Hamaguchi said. "The only reason I do it is people ask me. I'm just showing them around. That's it."

The attorney general's office could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Jo Ann Uchida, complaints and enforcement officer with the state Regulated Industries Complaints Office (RICO), said there is an ongoing investigation of Video Travel, but she declined further comment.

Hamaguchi said he hasn't been contacted by anyone with the attorney general's office or by RICO.

Equality Now spokeswoman Lakshmi Anantnarayan said Video Travel sends tourists on "sex tours" in May and November. She pointed to the company's Web site, which advertises "The Ultimate Asian Sex Tour."

The Web site also has a Q&A section, which answers such questions as, "How much does it cost to have sex with a lady?" and "Is it true I could have sex with two girls at the same time?"

Hamaguchi said he's not responsible for the contents of the Web site. He did say that many of his clients go on his tours for companionship.

"If they're going there just for sex, it's a waste of time," he said. "It's boring."

Equality Now was founded in 1992 to protect and promote the human rights of women. For the past seven years, the agency has targeted a New York company that is accused of arranging tours for men who seek sex with prostitutes in the Philippines, Thailand and Cambodia.

A New York Supreme Court justice recently issued a temporary restraining order against Big Apple Oriental Tours, restricting its advertising and promotions. New York's attorney general also has filed a lawsuit against the company to shut it down.

Equality Now is seeking similar actions from Hawai'i's attorney general.

Anantnarayan said a complaint was filed with RICO in August 2002, but she said Equality Now is not satisfied with the response.

"Promoting sex tours and promoting prostitution is a grave human-rights violation, which is why it is really urgent that the government of Hawai'i address this issue," Anantnarayan said.

Reach Curtis Lum at 525-8025 or culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.