Lawmakers accused of sexual harassment remain under wraps

Rep. Joe Souki’s resignation to resolve sex harassment complaints has focused renewed attention on the behavior of state legislators, especially in light of the #MeToo movement nationally.

But the names of four Hawaii lawmakers who have been the subject of such complaints over the past decade are not public.

The Associated Press in December disclosed that four legislators — three in the House, one in the Senate — have been accused of sexual harassment or misconduct since 2008.

But state law required the House and Senate to withhold their identities because none were suspended or expelled, according to the AP story.

Citing that same law, a House spokesman told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Wednesday that he couldn’t say whether any of the three from the House were current members.

A Senate spokeswoman did not respond to requests for comment.

According to the AP, the senator was counseled and attended one-on-one harassment training. None of the complaints resulted in settlement payments.