Reports of person taking photos of others at UH Manoa bathroom
Nov 23, 2024
MANOA, Hawaii (KHON2) -- Officials at the University of Hawaii Manoa are looking into reports of a person allegedly trying to take photos of people in a bathroom.
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On Thursday, Nov. 21, the University's Department of Public Safety sent an email about an incident that occurred in Saunders Hall's first-floor bathroom.
The e-mail stated a student had reported that an unknown person held a cell phone over the stall he was using in the all-gender bathroom. He told authorities he believed the person was attempting to take a photo.
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According to the e-mail, the student left the restroom and called DPS, but was unable to get a description of the offender.
The following day, DPS received another report from the same bathroom, but this time by a female teacher. Another e-mail was sent out saying this time the person held the cell phone under the door of the stall. She was not able to get a description of the offender.
"It was just really shocking and surprising that someone would do that," said UH student Erin Linsenmaier.
"I was surprised but I wasn't surprised because I knew there would be an issue or problems down the line with these restrooms," explained one woman.
One faculty member we spoke with said the bathrooms at Saunders Hall became all-gender about a year and a half ago.
"I personally feel if a person is making the transition and dedicated to being another identity that's fine, but if you're curious about it, or just thinking about it – you have to use male or female bathrooms," the woman said.
Another woman told KHON2 she normally bikes to Saunders Hall and changes in the first-floor bathroom before going upstairs, but after seeing those e-mails, she said she'll no longer change in that bathroom.
With the person on the loose, many said they feel uneasy and will avoid all-gender bathrooms.
"I would go into a women's bathroom and make sure nothing happened," Linsenmaier added. "I'm very cautious with who walks into the bathroom now, I'm not going to lie, after seeing those emails."
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"There are unisex bathrooms for transgender individuals who don't feel comfortable using their biological bathroom and that's fine there are special accommodations for that, but for the most part it should simply be guys use guys' restrooms and girls use girls' restrooms," said Rep. Diamond Garcia, minority floor leader.
According to UH's website, there are 20 all-gender bathrooms on campus. The doors to the Saunders Hall bathroom were locked over the weekend.