Lawsuit claims psychiatrist molested 26 boys at private school for Native Hawaiians

Blake Conant, left, and Honolulu attorney Mark Davis attend a news conference
to announce a sexual assault lawsuit against the Kamehameha School

HONOLULU — Twenty-six former students alleged in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that they were repeatedly sexually abused by a now-deceased psychiatrist at a private school

The plaintiffs are suing Kamehameha Schools and the estate of psychiatrist Robert Browne, who they say molested them during therapy sessions between 1958 and 1985. Kamehameha Schools required each student to undergo therapy, took them to Browne’s office and paid for the services, according to the lawsuit.

Kamehameha Schools has known about the allegations for the last 25 years but failed to respond or investigate them, the lawsuit said.

“Kamehameha School has to take responsibility on this one,” Honolulu attorney Michael Green said at a news conference Tuesday. “They’re not going to run from this case.”

Green said he thinks there are many other students who were abused by Browne that haven’t come forward.  (more...)

Lawsuit claims psychiatrist molested 26 boys at private school for Native Hawaiians