Why House Bill 1485 Misses the Mark: A Bail Agent’s Perspective on Massage Parlors, Crime, and Misguided Priorities

As a bail agent in Honolulu, I’ve had a front-row seat to the realities of the criminal justice system. I’ve also had a unique experience living in the Century Center, widely known as the island’s most notorious hub for sketchy massage parlors. In this issue of Jail Mail, I’ll challenge the narrative surrounding asian massage parlors, human trafficking, and dissect House Bill 1485, a piece of legislation I believe misses the mark.

What Is House Bill 1485?

House Bill 1485 aims to crack down on prostitution by imposing $100,000 fines on property owners and managers who knowingly permit it on their premises. However, the bill has been criticized as flawed and potentially harmful. Criminal defense attorney Myles Breiner argues that its vague wording could force sex workers to self-incriminate in order to be considered victims, and that it grants prosecutors too much power in determining victim status, raising concerns about fairness.

The Kaneshiro Administration's Enforcement Strategy: A Critical Analysis

During my interview with Mr. Breiner on the A-1 podcast, we uncovered troubling patterns in how the Kaneshiro administration handled massage parlor enforcement. Here are the key findings:

Failed Human Trafficking Convictions

The narrative of Asian massage parlor raids as a tool to combat human trafficking is contradicted by the actual record under the Kaneshiro administration. Most tellingly, their tenure saw zero convictions for human trafficking. Even more striking is that it appears no one was even charged with human trafficking during this period - a remarkable fact given the relatively low threshold required for probable cause to bring charges.

Problematic Use of Sealed Indictments

The Kaneshiro administration's reliance on sealed indictments, while intended to maintain the element of surprise during arrests, ultimately proved counterproductive in several cases. I personally know of several “JANE DOE”s who ghosted out after consultations with attorneys. Without unsealed entry of bench warrant information, agencies like Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security - despite having personnel stationed at airports specifically to intercept fleeing suspects - were effectively blindfolded.

Asset Seizure Practices

A concerning pattern emerged regarding asset seizures:

• The administration used legal precedents from gambling machine cases to justify seizing cash from massage parlor raids

• As attorney Megan Kau revealed on the A-1 Podcast, government offices could keep seized cash without filing formal charges

• These funds could then be channeled directly into the city prosecutor's office budget

The enforcement approach to massage parlors reveals a significant misalignment of incentives and results:

1. Law enforcement activities prioritized arresting individual massage workers, despite these workers being the least likely to be involved in any serious criminal activity

2. While raids were conducted under the banner of combating human trafficking, the lack of trafficking convictions suggests a fundamental disconnect between stated goals and reality

3. From first-hand experience posting bail for over 25 massage workers revealed a consistent pattern: these were individuals working voluntarily, not trafficking victims

4. The stark contrast between enforcement rhetoric and results raises legitimate questions about the true motivations behind these raids

Looking Ahead

The evidence points to a clear disconnect between policy, enforcement, and reality when it comes to Asian massage parlors in Honolulu. But understanding the true nature of these businesses - their economics, operations, and workforce - is crucial for developing effective policy. In my next newsletter, I'll take you inside the remarkable business acumen of “Yo-Yo”, the savvy "Mama-san," who turned simple house fees into a $30,000-45,000 monthly revenue stream. We'll explore the sophisticated business strategies that made her establishment so successful, challenging common misconceptions about these operations. From dynamic pricing to customer relationship management, you'll discover how these businesses operate more like high-end service providers than the criminal enterprises they're often portrayed as. Stay tuned - the numbers might surprise you.

Are you not entertained?!

-Got Bail Nick