Violent mobs of teens draw calls for safety in Kalihi

Two incidents in the past week, including two assaults, provoke pleas for police help

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Residents of a Kalihi neighborhood remain on edge after a rash of vandalism and assaults.

On Monday a large group of teens wielding bats, metal pipes and two-by-fours walked along Hauiki Street near Dole Middle School, damaging cars and beating a 32-year-old man and his 27-year-old sister.

Residents suspect the teenagers are from nearby housing projects.

The residents, along with a state representative, called a news conference yesterday to call attention to the problem and to coordinate a neighborhood security watch program.

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A 32-year-old Kalihi Valley resident ran outside and confronted a mob of about 50 teenage boys armed with metal pipes, boards and bats who were bashing cars and smashing windshields Monday night outside his house on Hauiki Street.

"I didn't want to provoke anything, but I had to say something," said Fred, who did not want to disclose his last name, and simply asked, "Hey, what are you doing?"

Fred found himself surrounded by at least five teens who repeatedly punched him in the head and face, knocking him to the ground. They backed him onto a wire fence and kept pummeling his head.

"If I didn't get over the fence, I knew they weren't going to stop," he said.

Residents of Hauiki Street near Dole Middle School held a news conference yesterday to bring attention to the problem, assisted by state Rep. John Mizuno, who explained that he got a call from a constituent living on the street who asked for help. Mizuno said he is also related to someone who was recently attacked on Hauiki Street.

Residents count nine cars damaged since Saturday, with car windows and windshields shattered and doors badly dented.

Residents fear for their personal safety and that property damage might escalate to homes, already the target of some rocks.

"At nighttime I cannot sleep soundly because it might happen again," said Victor Samson, 56. "I'm concerned about my safety and my family and my truck and car."

Samson said if he had been outside at the time, he would have instinctively confronted the teens.

"If you call 911, by the time police come, they're all gone," Samson said. "I thought this was isolated incident, but it's kind of habitual already."

He said it will cost $1,500 to replace his car's shattered back hatch window, and he will have to pay the $500 deductible.

Police arrested one individual Monday and opened five cases of second-degree criminal property damage.

Mizuno is calling for coordination between residents and police and is pushing for a Neighborhood Security Watch Program.

Darrell, 33, who also did not want to disclose his last name, suggests police at the Kalihi substation be aware when large events occur and perhaps have more police presence on the streets.

The residents suspect the vandals were immigrant teens from the two state housing projects nearby and were coming from a volleyball game at Kalihi Valley District Park on Monday and cut through the area to get home. Others said they see these large groups scatter when police arrive, and head in opposite directions.

Fred's 27-year-old sister, who asked not to be named, said she saw her brother in trouble. "They were all taking turns punching him. I tried to stop it. I guess I just thrust myself in front of them." She still has a cut and bruise on her arm. Fred still feels the lumps on his head and said his face still hurts from the beating.

"They were on a rampage," Fred said.

Police Maj. Frank Fujii urged people to call police if they see suspicious people, and to keep a safe distance. Residents can call 529-3551 (Community Affairs Section) to set up a neighborhood watch program in their area.

Fujii said the incident is not unusual. "Periodically you have things like this happen in every neighborhood," he said.

Arbin Fuentes, 31, confronted about eight teenagers Saturday night after the sides of his two cars were kicked in. But his cars only have liability coverage, and he would have to pay up to $1,800 out of pocket to fix both cars.

Jordan Ko, 18, said his loaner car parked along the street was hit twice on the driver's side, probably with a two-by-four. "Luckily, this was a loaner," he said. "My car is brand new."

He said his insurance company was skeptical when he tried to tell them 50 guys with bats and sticks were walking down his street.