Officials condemn threat to Honolulu Jewish preschool

News Release from City and County of Honolulu, March 1, 2017

Honolulu – The Honolulu Police Department has opened a terroristic threatening investigation into a phone threat to Temple Emanu-El that prompted the evacuation of a preschool there on Monday. United States Senator Brian Schatz and Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell issued the following statements today:

“We are working with local law enforcement and the FBI to take the necessary steps to keep Temple Emanu-El safe,” said Senator Schatz. “At the same time, we recognize this isn’t an isolated incident. Anti-Semitism is on the rise across the country. This is a moment to be absolutely clear that anti-Semitic sentiment and actions are un-American, and counter to who we are and what we stand for. We all need to come together as a community to take action, and do everything we can to beat back hate and anti-Semitism.”

“Honolulu is one of the most diverse places in the world, and we welcome people of all backgrounds and religious beliefs,” said Mayor Caldwell. “This was a cowardly act, to scare children, parents, teachers, and disrupt a quality preschool. The Honolulu Police Department is conducting a full and thorough investigation and I am confident they will do everything within their power to bring this coward to justice. They are assisting the temple and school as they resumed class this week. This is a reminder to all of us to treat one another with aloha, dignity, and respect.”

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STATE CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION DECRIES THREAT AGAINST HAWAI’I JEWISH PRESCHOOL

And Anti-Semitic and Anti-Immigrant Attacks Nationally

News Release from DLIR Mar 8, 2017

HONOLULU – On behalf of the Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission, Chair Linda Hamilton Krieger today strongly condemned the threatening phone call made on Monday, February 27, 2017, that necessitated the evacuation of the Temple Emanu-El preschool, and renewed the Commission’s previous call for Hawaiʻi to stand against the national upsurge in discriminatory harassment and intimidation. “We must all come together to condemn this despicable, hateful act against Hawaii’s Jewish community,” said Krieger. “No one should have to live in fear because of their religion, just as no one should live in fear because of their national origin, race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, or immigration status.”

“It is sobering that this happened here in Hawaiʻi, in the context of threats against 20 Jewish community centers and day schools on the same day nationwide, as well as the bias-motivated shooting that took the life of an Indian man in Kansas last week,” added HCRC Executive Director William Hoshijo. “Those who share a commitment to civil rights must stand up for those who cannot stand alone, and condemn the post-election proliferation of anti-Semitic, anti-Muslim, and anti-immigrant attacks and threats, acts of vandalism, and hateful rhetoric.”

The Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission is responsible for enforcing, and will enforce, state civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and

State-funded services. The HCRC stands in opposition to discriminatory harassment, whether in schools, workplaces, places of business, or in our communities.

If you feel you have been subjected to discrimination or harassment because of your race, ancestry, disability, sexual orientation, religion, sex, including gender identity, or other prohibited bases, contact the HCRC at telephone (808) 586-8636, or email DLIR.HCRC.INFOR@hawaii.gov.

For more information, go to the HCRC webpage at:  http://labor.hawaii.gov/hcrc/.