AFTER TWO REPORTS of a possible sexual predator stalking their Kalihi neighborhood, parents of Linapuni School elementary students are taking no chances.
Children recently have reported
By Rod Antone
two incidents near Kalihi's
Linapuni Elementary school
Star-Bulletin"That's why all the parents are picking up their kids today -- even the ones that live close by," Ane Umu, mother of a 6-year-old student, said yesterday afternoon.
On Wednesday, five children reported that a man tried to pull an 8-year-old girl walking with the group into his car right outside the school. The man, police said, pulled her by the hair, but her four classmates, all 8-year-old boys, fought back.
"They said they punched and hit the man and made him let go," said Linapuni Principal Helen Wong.
Parents were angry and worried about the incident.
"Lucky it wasn't my girl," said Junior Logo, father of a Linapuni 6-year-old. "The guy must have been on drugs. He's crazy to have tried this here."
Linapuni stands in the shadow of the Kuhio Park Terrace housing project, where many of its students live.
"I pity the guy if any of these parents catch him," said Gene Mico, husband of a Linapuni teacher.
Even though Wong is proud of her students, she said the situation could have turned tragic.
"He easily could have overpowered them," she said.
Yesterday, five Kuhio Park Terrace security guards patrolled the Linapuni campus during the school's annual spring fair.
Honolulu police said they have several leads, including a record book from a KPT guard shack. Because the school sits so close to KPT, drivers visiting either site must register their names, times of arrival and license plate numbers with security.
"If they logged in his license plate, they should be able to find him," said Logo.
Honolulu police also believe the same suspect was seen masturbating in front of several young girls at nearby Fern Playground a couple of weeks ago.
Police describe the man as being in his early 30s, heavily built, 5 feet 8 inches tall and about 240 pounds.
He has black hair and a tan complexion. He was described in the Fern Park incident as driving a maroon four-door sedan.
Anyone with any information about the cases is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300, or *CRIME on your cellular phone.
