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Teacher going to prison
for molesting girl

Judge levels stern criticism,
wants him to serve
a full 5 years

By Debra Barayuga
Star-Bulletin

A Circuit Court judge sentenced a Mililani Mauka teacher today to five years in prison for molesting an 11-year-old girl.

Kevin Kurasaki, 37, faced up to 20 years in jail. But under a plea agreement approved by the victim's family, Kurasaki pleaded guilty to 11 counts of third-degree sexual assault which carries a penalty of up to five years' imprisonment. The sentences for the 11 counts will be served concurrently.

Kurasaki apologized in court this morning to the victim and her family, the Mililani Mauka community and to his friends and family. "I pray, with God's help all of us will move on and make the right choices in life," he said.

But Judge Virginia Crandall criticized statements Kurasaki had made in a presentence report, saying he had been punished enough by losing his job and car. "What you took from this child is greater than any punishment you will get from the criminal justice system," Crandall told him.

Other statements Kurasaki made indicating that it was the victim's fault and that she acted older than she was were "disgusting," and showed no remorse, Deputy Prosector Renee Sonobe-Hong said. "This victim will have to live with this for the rest of her life."

The victim, in a letter to her mother, wrote that she wanted to die because it would be so much easier for her, Sonobe-Hong said. The victim, who is now 12, was not one of Kurasaki's students but met him at school.

The victim's father, in a brief statement to the court, commented on the public's unwillingness to acknowledge that sexual crimes can be committed by those who are trusted and respected. He said his daughter was faced with the prospect of having to go to trial and recounting the things Kurasaki did to her. "That is why it was important to spare my daughter the uncertainty of trial filled with trauma where her credibility would be in question."

He said he hoped the sentence Kurasaki receives will be a "small step" in showing the public there are consequences for this type of crime.

The molestations occurred from December 1998 and into March 1999, including one incident at the school, prosecutors say.

Crandall said she will recommend to the Hawaii Paroling Authority that Kurasaki serve the full five years. She also ordered him to pay $2,000 to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund.