North Kohala residents are blessed to live in a strong supportive community, a community of family and friends who want the best for all children and each other. Nearly two years ago, our family was forced to flee from our beloved farm, home, friends, ohana, halau, dojo and community because of dangers like racist, misogynistic hate crimes and threats by sexual predators/drug traffickers. Kawaihae resident Martin Booth, a convicted murderer also charged with meth trafficking, assault and terroristic threatening, and one of his accomplices/associates, Kohala resident Richard “Ed” Schmidt, who was originally arrested and jailed for meth trafficking I to minors, sexual assault II to minor and custodial interference, recently pleaded guilty to promoting dangerous drugs and custodial interference, thereby belittling and ignoring the other serious crimes for which he was allegedly responsible. They have both committed heinous crimes. They are now serving sentences. Booth is serving life in prison and Schmidt, sentenced to one year for his crimes, has been “allowed” to serve the times concurrently and has served only six months in jail with four years of probation during which time he is forbidden to be around female minors along with many other conditions, according to the Hawaii State Judiciary’s Hoohiki website. Several other accomplices are involved in related crimes, including murder cover-up and sex/meth trafficking. Some have been set free and/or given reduced sentences in exchange for information. The crimes they have been arrested for are often less than the actual criminal activity they committed and their sentencing is made even more minimal. (This “bargaining” is part of criminal strategy.)
The annual cost of the meth epidemic in the U.S. is estimated to be more than $23.4 billion. The estimated cost of methamphetamine abuse in Hawaii is more than $500 million each year, according to the Rand Corp. Drug Policy Research Center. Numerous murders, violent crimes, robberies and abuse are based on methamphetamine use and abuse. Criminals intentionally use meth to commit these horrific crimes and to control their victims. The use and trafficking of methamphetamine “has had a terrible effect on all of Hawaiian culture … brings violence … wreaks destruction on families … saps money from the economy … and is very dangerous for the residents of Hawaii,” according to the Drug Trends in Hawaii 2014 report. It causes physical, mental, spiritual harm and brain damage. It compromises health and causes death — not only by overdose but by suicide, accident or intentional undocumented murder.
Some countries have mandated the death penalty for distributing meth. According to the Blue Campaign/U.S. Department of Homeland Security, drug/sex traffickers use fraud and coercion to lure their victims. RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual assault organization, reports that men use meth as a tool in drug-facilitated assault to take advantage of their victim’s “diminished capacity,” which means “an individual, especially a child, does not have the capacity to consent.” Biologically, the teenage brain does not have the logic to “consent” or make life/death decisions. Immortality is their reality. They are not mature or experienced enough to deal with these organized, systematic and experienced, lascivious business men. Men are targeting young girls, stalking them, “befriending” them, exploiting them, assaulting them, often using sacred spiritual sites as their recruiting platforms. So, many young ones are unsuspecting of the unimaginable evil intentions.
The meth and sex traffickers/predators/murderers are protected by politicians. Gov. David Ige vetoed a bill that would have created a statewide sex trafficking ban, by the “criminal” justice system, defense lawyers and false recovery programs while there is little available help or justice for those they prey upon. Many offenders are not only offered easy and repeated bail, they are, if convicted, often given minimal sentencing. Investigations are inconclusive because of inept law enforcement officers and “insufficient collection of evidence.” We are not being given a full account by authorities, law enforcement or news media about who the perpetrators are or what is happening to the criminals responsible for meth-related crimes and promoting and providing deadly addictive drugs to our community.
Educating our children about drugs is not enough. We know that adolescent minds are vulnerable and these young people are not always able to make mature decisions or choices. They are not to be blamed for criminals’ actions. It is not up to them to stop these criminals nor should they be forced to face their rapists in court. Criminality should not be any child’s concern. It is an adult responsibility, particularly those whose job it is to serve and protect. We adults must educate ourselves to end the epidemic of sex/meth trafficking and related crimes: porn, prostitution, abuse, theft, DUI, exploitation, disappearance, murder and organized crime. We can continue to say “no” to meth and other drugs, but these inanimate objects will not respond. It is time to dare to say “no” to the subhuman predators, politicians, the pharmaceutical companies who supply the ingredients to manufacture meth and to the doctors who are responsible for inappropriately prescribing addictive drugs.
As teachers, mothers and members of this community, it is important to address these issues, remain vigilant, to be alert and open discussion in our community. If you are an addict, whatever your choice of demise, be a good one. Take responsibility for the behavioral affects of your “medication.” Recovery means not only eliciting self pity and mock sorrow for being caught, but also owning up to the damage you have caused or perpetrated with due justice, restitution and compensation. Addiction as illness needs counseling and help to end. Illegal criminal activity, perpetual recovery, impeding, harming and endangering others demands justice. Do the crime, do the time.
Those who care and are able and willing to end this social/cultural atrocity need to work together to provide a safe community in which we can all thrive without fear. There is no excuse for violence. Sexual exploitation, preying upon and impeding the well-being of our children and undermining the hard work of parents, teachers and kupuna is intolerable, particularly in the sweetest place of Kohala.
Mary Zuiderveen is a former resident of Kohala.
Viewpoint articles are the opinion of the writer and not necessarily the opinion of West Hawaii Today.