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Documented on the original SlaveryMap (2008–2016). We don’t have a verifiable source on file yet. Know one?
What happened
In 2004 Lueleni Fetongi Maka brought seven Tongan men to Hawaii, promising them a better life. He then housed them in poor conditions and forced them to work in his landscaping business. Maka maintained control of the victims through beatings and threatening deportation. At times the beatings were so severe they could not work because of their injuries. The victims worked sunrise to sunset trimming trees and building rock walls. Maka paid victims between $100 and $200, if at all.
Response and intervention
Maka was charged with and found guilty of six counts of human trafficking, involuntary servitude, forced labor, alien harboring, and alien smuggling. Also, he was charged with five counts of unlawful use of documents. In January, 2003, officials investigated immigration violations of the victims. This investigation led to Maka's indictment (June, 2003).