Convicted former basketball coach served prison term for child sexual offenses
Dwayne Yuen, a former Punahou girls basketball coach and public school teacher, has been sentenced to 33 years and 9 months in federal prison for crimes involving sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment of underage girls, following a guilty plea in December 2024 [2][4]. This sentence will be followed by life probation.
The extensive harm caused to his victims was a result of Yuen's abusive actions, with the judge stating that he caused lost youth, all done in the pursuit of power and sex [3]. The victims of Yuen's crimes were middle or high school girls, and several of them were present for his sentencing.
The sentence was seen as a step toward healing for the victims. Shawna-Lei Kuehu, one of Yuen's victims, felt a sense of relief upon hearing the sentence. Other victims described Yuen as a monster hiding in plain sight.
If granted supervised release, Yuen will be prohibited from having any contact with children or the victims. He will also be subject to searches and seizures of his electronic devices. Yuen is required to register as a sex offender [1].
In addition to coaching the Punahou team, Yuen also coached private club teams and teams at various public and private schools. Despite his apology during his sentencing, the judge called his words shallow and stated that he had a demented need for control [5].
The case received significant media attention, emphasizing the severity and impact of Yuen's crimes [1][3][5]. If released, Yuen is banned from any place where children are present, including playgrounds and arcades. One victim spoke in court, while others shared letters detailing the horrific sexual acts, years of abuse, manipulation, and threats they experienced.
Yuen's penchant for coaching extended beyond the Punahou team, encompassing private club teams and teams at various public and private schools, showcasing his extensive reach within the realms of health-and-wellness and general-news. The sentencing, while providing a measure of relief and justice for his victims in the health-and-wellness and crime-and-justice sectors, marks only a step in their journey towards healing.
