Posted at 6:56 p.m., Thursday, March 31, 2005
UH urges safety after two attacks
Associated Press
The University of Hawai'i today urged students and others near campus to stay alert and travel in groups after two incidents of alleged sexual assault in one week in normally tranquil Manoa valley.An 18-year-old Kapiolani Community College student told police she was sexually assaulted by five men on Monday after leaving Volcano Joe's, a restaurant near the university's Manoa campus. Last week, a woman leaving the Manoa Innovation Center was allegedly raped and robbed by Shannon Kalahiki, 24, who is awaiting trial for the crime.
"The alleged attacks did not take place on our campus, but they were certainly close enough to make us concerned," said Jim Manke, a spokesman for the university.
The university has been reminding students and the public about the roughly 70 call boxes on campus, marked by bright blue lights, which connect directly to campus security.
Information about the reported gang rape and sketches of two alleged attackers have been posted around the Manoa campus.
"We do have 3,000 students that live on campus and there are people here always using the facilities so we like to make them aware of potential hazards," Manke said.
Police said Manoa's proximity to downtown Honolulu and the freeway allows easy access for criminals.
"We are doing all that we can to keep the campus safe, but we need the help of each individual to stay alert when they are traveling alone, especially at night," said Captain Donald Dawson, head of campus security at the university's Manoa campus.
