KAILUA-KONA — The Hawaii Island Coalition Against Human Trafficking will conduct a training seminar this evening to educate the public on the problem as it relates to residents.
The free seminar is scheduled between 7-8:30 p.m. at Makua Lani Christian High School Academy’s Bridge Auditorium, located at 74-4966 Kealakaa St. in Kailua-Kona. Parents and children, age 10 and above, are encouraged to attend.
Melody Stone, the coalition coordinator and host of the seminar, said human trafficking is a greater concern on Hawaii Island than many locals believe or understand.
“It happens all the time here on the Big Island,” said Stone, who is a trauma informed clinical therapist. “There will be a lot of good information.”
That information will include facts and statistics on human trafficking, the manners in which human traffickers attempt to abduct both local people and tourists, resources for parents to help protect their children and how the community can better equip itself to deal with the ever-growing problem.