HAWAII JUVENILE SEX ABUSE LAWSUITS

Fighting for Survivors Sexually Abused in Youth Facilities in Hawaii

Youth facilities are often cloaked in an assumption of trust and accountability, simply because of their longevity and the nature of their mission: to rehabilitate and protect vulnerable youth. In other words, the very existence of these facilities implies a level of competence and oversight that, tragically, has not always been upheld. 

If you or a loved one was harmed at any youth residential treatment center, drug treatment center, boarding school, psychiatric hospital, behavioral health center, or other youth facility in Hawaii, we encourage you to reach out to us today. Your voice matters, and we are here to help you seek the justice you deserve.

History of Child Sexual Abuse in Youth Facilities in Hawaii

Examples of alleged abuse, and of conditions likely to lead to abuse, include the following:

Youth Challenge Academy

• In July 2025, six former residents/cadets filed a lawsuit alleging they were subjected to bullying, beatings and sexual assault at the Youth Challenge Academy.  According to the lawsuit, a gang of teenage cadets was allowed to terrorize the residents and a staff member who encouraged gang activity was a sexual predator himself.  Some of the victims allegedly reported the abuse but no action was taken to address it.  Further, according to the lawsuit, the Youth Challenge Academy has a history of enabling sexual assault.  

• In October 2024, Paul Andrew Banasihan Jr., former staff member at the Hawaii Youth Challenge Academy in Hilo was sentenced to ten years in prison for sexually assaulting a female resident/cadet.  The assaults allegedly took place in February to April 2018.

• In April 2018, a female cadet reported that she was inappropriately touched by a male staff member.  

• In 2013, two female cadets alleged sexual misconduct by two cadres employed at the Kalaeloa campus, which led to a conviction of a staff member for harassment.  

Kamehameha Schools

• In February 2018, 32 former Kamehameha schools students reached an $80 million settlement for the sexual abuse they suffered as students. 

The lawsuits named Dr. Robert McCormick Browne, a former St. Francis Medical Center employee, who allegedly sexually abused at least 34 boys—mostly Kamehameha Schools students from the 1950s to 1980s while serving as the center’s chief of psychiatry. 

School officials allegedly failed to report Browne’s abuse and threatened students with expulsion if they refused to attend sessions with him. 

Other faculty and staff were also accused of sexual abuse.

Loving Service Foundation

• In May 2024, psychologist Reuben Lelah from Big Island was sentenced to prison for sexually abusing a 14-year-old patient.

Lelah abused the victim for seven months, starting in June 2019, at his therapy center, the Loving Service Foundation.

Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility

• In 2003, an American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) report identified violations at the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility, including extreme overcrowding, harsh living conditions, excessive use of isolation or cell confinement, abuse by staff, sexual harassment, lack of privacy for girls, inadequate medical and mental health care, and lack of access to education.

• In June 2006, the ACLU announced a $625,000 settlement in the alleged mistreatment of LGBT youth in juvenile facilities. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of three youths who faced abuse and harassment at the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility, both from staff and other residents.

Staff allegedly isolated victims of harassment.

Staff often allegedly used homophobic and transphobic slurs, calling LGBT youth offensive names. 

A transgender girl was placed in solitary confinement for six days. 

Physical harassment was often ignored. In one case, a resident smeared semen on another youth’s face, and staff failed to respond effectively.

Despite frequent reports of abuse, staff allegedly rarely took action, and disciplinary measures were lacking. 

Do I Have a Case?

You may have grounds to file a civil legal action if:

• You were sexually abused by a guard, counselor, nurse, or other youth residential treatment or juvenile detention center staff member.
• The abuse occurred at any youth residential treatment or juvenile detention facility.

Levy Konigsberg represents survivors in civil lawsuits that aim to hold youth residential treatment facilities,  juvenile detention centers, private healthcare companies, and other facility operators accountable for their failures to stop abusive staff members and protect young residents.

As civil claims, these cases are separate from any criminal proceedings that may arise from abuse and focus instead on holding institutions liable for damages. This means you may still have a claim even if:

• Your abuser is no longer alive.
• Your abuser was never charged with or convicted of a crime.

Recoverable Damages in Sexual Abuse Claims

In addition to providing accountability and a sense of justice, civil sex abuse lawsuits allow survivors to recover financial compensation for their damages, which may include:

• Past medical and mental health expenses
• Future mental health expenses, including therapy, medications, etc.
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional anguish and psychological harm
• Lost income
• Other economic and non-economic damages

Hawaii Sexual Abuse Statute of Limitations

Sexual abuse lawsuits, like other claims brought by plaintiffs who seek damages for injuries, are subject to a legal deadline known as the statute of limitations. When the statute of limitations expires, victims will not be able to file a claim or recover compensation.

Determining the statute of limitations in your claim can be challenging, as there are many factors to consider. Under Hawaii law, survivors of childhood sexual abuse that occurred prior to July 1, 2024 may have until their 26th birthday to file a civil claim. Survivors of childhood sexual abuse that occurred on or after July 1, 2024 may be able to bring a civil claim at any time.

Levy Konigsberg’s experienced attorneys can help evaluate claims under these laws, including those for abuse that occurred years or even decades ago, and explain your rights and options.