It appears that underneath this big story, is an even bigger one: the prostitution of potentially underage girls (although the age of consent in Hawaii is extremely low compared to the rest of the world). I would be interested in the status of the women/girls who were, and are, traded like playing cards as the "bait" for these schemes. Were the sexual activities voluntary?  Physically forced or coerced? Intoxicated or otherwise unable to consent? What nationality are they and, upon discovery of this illegal activity, was any attempt made to interview, rescue, release from debt bondage, assist with making police reports (for rape, abduction, etc) or otherwise address these women/ girls' needs? Or are they as disposable and inter-changeable to the rest of society as they are to their captors/ employers?

Karen Rich