Driven by her daughter’s bullying experience, a Maui mom advocates for change
KAHULUI (HawaiiNewsNow) - A Maui mother of five is raising awareness about the problem of bullying in schools.
She said her 8-year-old daughter, a second grader at Kahului Elementary School, is being targeted.
She is calling on the school and the Department of Education to take her complaints more seriously.
Waipuulani Kaluau is a mother of five. Her children’s ages are 15, 8, 6, 5 years old and 5 months old.
She says her second oldest Lilyanna is happy vibrant, and sweet. However, she said her personality drastically changed a couple of months ago.
“She got sexually harassed by two boys making hand gestures … she’s been getting rocks thrown at her … calling her ugly and teasing her clothes … my daughter is really scared to go to school. She’s admitted that she’s wanted to not live anymore, which hurts me as a mom because I just feel like there’s a lot of suicide with kids who go through bullying and I just don’t want my daughter to be a victim of that,” Kaluau said.
Mental Health professionals are commending Kaluau for speaking out about the issue.
“Seven to 10 years old is the latest group where we’re seeing rising suicide rates, or attempted suicide. So unfortunately, this is in fact happening across the country,” said Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Britt Young.
Experts say it is also happening in Hawaii.
“In 2019, SAMHSA reported that suicide was the leading cause of death for people in Hawaii, ages 15 to 24, specifically, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders. It’s really underreported, so a lot of people don’t understand,” said Haylin Dennison, LCSW.
The Hawaii Department of Education said they can’t discuss details of Kaluau’s situation because of student privacy rights. However, they assured that all bullying cases are taken very seriously.
“You can find more information on how these situations are generally handled here. Students, staff, families and communities are asked to help stop bullying in all its forms by promoting the positive behaviors of respect and empathy toward others at home, online and in our communities. Any instances should be reported to a trusted adult on campus for immediate investigation. Incidents can also be reported digitally and anonymously through the Department’s Speak Now app,” said Nanea Kalani, HIDOE Communications Director.
Kaluau is calling on the department to do more.
“She’s only eight. I just felt like maybe my daughter is not the only one,” she said. “I’m just trying to raise awareness for her and fight for her.”
If you or someone you know needs emotional support, here are some resources you can use:
- Call 988 to get connected with a local crisis counselor or click here
- Text TALK to 741-741 to text with a trained crisis counselor from the Crisis Text Line for free, 24/7
- Veterans Crisis Line, send a text to 838255
- SAMHSA Treatment Referral Hotline (Substance Abuse) — 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
- RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline — 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
- National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline — 1-866-331-9474
- The Trevor Project (For LGBTQ+ young people) — 1-866-488-7386
- Prevent Suicide Hawaii Task Force
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - Hawaii Chapter
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