Ritual Cleansing for Sexual Assault Restroom
Editor-in-Chief Peter Holden Chao Photos courtesy of Liz Lough
Restroom where sexual assault occurred adorned with ti leaf lei and sprinkled with salt
On Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m., a sexual assault was reported to UH Hilo Campus Security. The incident took place in a restroom in Wentworth Hall where a woman had been inappropriately touched by an unknown male. A day later the Hawaiʻi Police Department arrested Daniel Brooks, who was charged with fourth-degree sexual assault.
Since that incident, the door has been adorned with lei and salt has been sprinkled in the corners of the restroom. “Traditional Hawaiian beliefs hold that ti leaves have the power to ward against harm or evil. And salt water--sea or salted water--is sprinkled as a ritual cleansing. So it appears the ti leaves and salt were used for these purposes,” Dr. Glenn “Kalena” K. Silva, Professor of Hawaiian Language and Hawaiian Studies told Ke Kalahea.
In what has been perceived as a sign of solidarity, the rich traditions of Hawaiian culture continue to pervade the UH Hilo campus. For campus security, you can contact the Security Office around the clock at (808) 974-7911 (on campus, extension 7911), or in room 151 of the University Classroom Building (UCB) from 8 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday at (808) 932-7644.