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Human Trafficking Awareness Day recognized in the City and County of Honolulu
 
HONOLULU – Mayor Rick Blangiardi is proud to stand with local leaders in government, law enforcement, non-profit organizations and service providers in recognizing January 11, 2022 as Human Trafficking Awareness Day in the City and County of Honolulu. Today, we highlight the persistent issue of human trafficking and reaffirm the City and County of Honolulu’s commitment to prosecute traffickers and to protect and empower survivors of all forms of human trafficking.

“The fight to end human trafficking in the City and County of Honolulu is of paramount importance that will require all of us, at all levels,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “From businesses to faith-based groups, creating a community where individuals of all ages can feel safe is a fundamental need and we must make that happen for the sake of the future of O‘ahu.”

Mayor Blangiardi presented a Proclamation to the executive branch of Hoʻōla Nā Pua, a non-profit organization established to shine light onto the dark criminal enterprise of sex trafficking, placing the health of Hawai‘i’s youth at the center of its mission. The proclamation gathering was witnessed by key public officials, law enforcement, community stakeholders and survivors, who collectively participated in a Red Sand Project Demonstration and sign-waving fronting Punchbowl Street. In addition, Hoʻōla Nā Pua hosted a coordinated statewide awareness protest on Maui (UH Maui College), Kaua‘i (Historic County Building, Līhu‘e), Lāna‘i (Former Dole Administration Building), Moloka‘i (Kaunakakai Texaco), Kailua-Kona (Henry Street fronting Walmart) and Hilo (Bay Front Street).



Photo Credit: Images by Asia Brynne, Courtesy of Ho‘ōla Nā Pua

LIVES and additional coverage are available on public social media platforms: @hoolanapua

“January represents a new beginning for each of us, and for Ho‘ōla Nā Pua (New Life for Our Children), it is the start of a new year and a renewed commitment to our vision of shining a light into the dark enterprise of sex trafficking and offering a space of healing and restoration to Hawai‘i’s exploited youth,” said Ho‘ōla Nā Pua Founder and CEO, Jessica Munoz. “We invite the community to partner with us in volunteering, mentoring, sign-waving and online webinars to ensure that our youth are safe and given bright futures. Our children’s safety starts at home and within schools, parks, beaches and malls – together we can end sex-trafficking in Hawai‘i.”

In addition to today’s proclamation ceremony, sign wavers lined Punchbowl Street and a Red Sand Project took place. Red Sand was poured into small cracks of the sidewalk representing individuals affected by modern day slavery who fall through the cracks - whether the cracks of our social, economic, and political systems. For more information on Hoʻōla Nā Pua and how you can get involved in protecting Hawai‘i’s youth, visit hoolanapua.org.
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