Examiner investigated for alleged sex assault during road test in Kaneohe

A driver’s license examiner is being investigated for allegedly sexually assaulting a young woman during a road test in Kaneohe on Thursday.

Police are investigating the case, but no arrests have been made at this time, Honolulu Police Department spokeswoman Michelle Yu said. The case is currently classified as a fourth-degree sexual assault.

Department of Customer Services Director Sheri Kajiwara said the suspect is a short-term contract hire. He is a retiree, who started working in the driver’s license office on July 3 and was to have ended his contract Sept. 28, Kajiwara said.

“We are not using the employee for road tests at this time as we investigate the allegations,” she said.

She said the department is conducting its own internal investigation.

The woman involved said via social media that she spoke up to warn others and was asking others to come forward if they have experienced the same.

Kajiwara said the woman made a verbal report Thursday at the driver’s licensing center, where the manager reported it to her supervisor. The Customer Services Department started an investigation on Friday.

The woman was invited to file a police report, she said.

Kajiwara said she was not aware of any similar allegations or incidents of this nature received by the department, which handles from 30,000 to 35,000 road tests annually.

“We have an excellent population of examiners,” she said.

She urged people to speak up if they experience any situation they are not comfortable with or if they feel they are being taken advantage of.

“The allegations such as this are extremely serious,” she said, adding department officials will work with HPD.

The city Department of Human Resources does clearances for the city, checking potential hires, but Kajiwara said she was not sure whether a background check was done for this particular position. “They just let us know if someone is cleared for hire,” she said.

Those hired for the position must demonstrate a clear understanding of the rules of the road.

Kahiwara said, “Something like this is very difficult for me because we pride ourselves in providing quality customer service.”