Hawaii's powerful Democratic machine and a tightly knit island culture have allowed Sen. Daniel Inouye to shrug off allegations of sexual misconduct, observers say.
Of his 10 accusers, most have refused to reveal their identities. One whose name was made public says she has forgiven him."In Hawaii, the smart ones keep silent," said Toni L. Worst, a spokeswoman for Code of Silence-Broken, a committee established to press the allegations.
The same apparently isn't true for Oregon, where 10 women publicly have accused Sen. Bob Packwood of sexual harassment. Packwood checked himself into an alcoholism treatment center and faces a Senate Ethics Committee probe.
Allegations emerged in October that Inouye forced his former hair stylist to have sex with him 17 years ago. His unsuccessful challenger for the Senate, Republican state Sen. Rick Reed, released a tape recording of Lenore Kwock, 40, discussing the incident.
Kwock, who accused Inouye of forcing himself on her in 1975 when she went to his apartment on an errand, says she forgives Inouye and would never have brought charges against him.
Nine other women later reported sexual abuse or harassment by Inouye to a state representative. Only two gave their names.
Inouye, 68, denies all of the allegations as "outrageous" and has demanded that his accusers come forward so he can defend himself.
That could be risky for the women, Worst and other observers say.
"Hawaii is basically dominated by a one-party machine that controls the state's politics, judiciary and business," she said. "It's a state with very little in checks and balance because no other party has the influence to call them on it."
The women might face retaliation in a system where so many people work for the government or are dependent on government contracts, Worst said.
Jo Kamae Byrne of Code of Silence-Broken said Thursday that one of the group's members has been threatened with being fired from her job. Byrne didn't name the woman or her employer. Bryne also said she had heard that memos are being circulated among state-funded agencies telling employees to avoid the group.