Prosecutors rest case in Kealoha corruption and conspiracy trial
Federal prosecutors Monday wrapped up their case in the public corruption and conspiracy trial of Louis and Katherine Kealoha. Read more
Rob Perez
Rob Perez has retired as an investigative journalist at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. He was a journalist for more than 40 years, the last 20 or so focused on enterprise or investigative stories. He had been writing about Hawaii issues since the late 1980s. He retired in 2023.
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Latest Stories by Rob Perez
Kamehameha Schools and St. Francis lock horns over sex abuse settlement
Two of Hawaii’s charitable heavy-hitters are engaged in a fierce legal battle over the $80 million settlement of a sex abuse case that has roiled both organizations. Read more
Rhodes scholar comes forward as a plaintiff in the Kamehameha sex abuse lawsuit
Andy Vliet, a Kamehameha Schools graduate, speaks publicly for the first time about the alleged sex abuse he suffered decades ago at the hands of Dr. Robert Browne, a psychiatrist who was accused of molesting Kamehameha students from the late 1950s to the early 1980s. Read more
Timeline of events in Andy Vliet’s case against Kamehameha Schools
Andy Vliet, a Kamehameha Schools graduate, speaks publicly for the first time about the alleged sex abuse he suffered decades ago at the hands of Dr. Robert Browne, a psychiatrist who was accused of molesting Kamehameha students from the late 1950s to the early 1980s. Settlement talks to resolve a lawsuit Vliet filed against Kamehameha Schools and other defendants have failed. Read more
Public defender details red flags in Kealohas’ mailbox case
The public defender whose suspicions over a mailbox theft investigation led to one of the biggest public corruption cases in Hawaii detailed Friday a litany of red flags his team came across as they defended the man accused of the crime. Read more
Records show Gerard Puana’s cellphone not in Kahala before or after alleged mailbox theft, FBI expert testifies
The Kealohas and three former and current police officer are accused of trying to frame Katherine Kealoha’s uncle for the 2013 theft of the mailbox and lying about their actions to federal investigators. Read more
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Katherine Kealoha did not reveal conflict, prosecution witness testifies
In September 2013 Deputy Prosecutor William Kaina Awong, whose supervisor was Katherine Kealoha, filed a motion in state court seeking to correct an illegal sentence against Kealoha’s uncle. Read more
Katherine Kealoha’s actions questioned in conspiracy trial
Former Deputy Prosecutor Katherine Kealoha’s actions in a 2011 criminal case involving her uncle Gerard Puana took center stage on the fifth day of the federal conspiracy trial against her; her husband, retired Police Chief Louis Kealoha; and three current and former police officers. Read more
Former Honolulu police officer testifies at Kealoha mailbox trial that he ‘perpetuated a lie’
Retired police officer Niall Silva admitted repeatedly lying to the FBI, federal prosecutors, grand jurors and in court testimony in connection with the alleged theft of the mailbox of retired Honolulu Police Chief Louise Kealoha and his wife, former Deputy Prosecutor Katherine Kealoha. Read more
Retired police officer said he lied repeatedly about his role in the Kealoha mailbox theft case
“My heart sank,” retired police officer Niall Silva testified today. “I perpetuated a lie, and it was against someone who wasn’t guilty.” Read more
Federal investigations of Hawaii institutions ‘unprecedented’
The number and breadth of current federal investigations into alleged corruption at Hawaii’s public institutions is unmatched in the state’s history. Read more
Kahana homeowners defaulting on state loans
Some families who have gone years without performing cultural activities in lieu of monthly rent at a state-owned Kahana Valley “living park” also are way behind on loan payments to the state. Read more
Federal judge reschedules deposition of ailing 99-year-old grandma in Kealoha case
A federal judge on Friday set a new date to take the early testimony of an ailing 99-year-old witness in the criminal trial of Louis and Katherine Kealoha but not before issuing a stern warning to lawyers in the case about their poor communications. Read more
Man set for third trial in connection with fatal shooting at Waikiki nightclub
A man accused of fatally shooting another man outside a Waikiki nightclub and injuring two others in 2017 is expected to go to trial for a third time after a jury deadlocked Friday, unable to reach a unanimous verdict. Read more
Former Hawaii Longshore union official indicted on embezzlement charges
The indictment alleged that in April 2014 Brown falsified payment records and embezzled about $1,575 in union funds. Read more
Kahana Valley living park concept ‘broken’
Over the years, lease requirements have fallen by the wayside while junk cars and derelict buildings blight the landscape. Read more
Case exposes flaws in Hawaii’s child-abuser registry, critics say
For the past seven years, Courtney Bird, 38, has been trying to get off Hawaii’s registry for child abusers, a confidential list that includes about 40,000 names. Unbeknownst to Bird, the state placed her on the registry in 2007. Read more
Halting of card games a bum deal, seniors say
Oahu’s card-playing octogenarians have been dealt a lousy hand, and they’re not happy about it. Read more
No jail for retired HPD officer accused of tax fraud
A former Honolulu police officer pleaded guilty Monday to filing fraudulent statements with his state income tax returns but as part of a plea agreement is not expected to spend any time behind bars. Read more
Owner optimistic about restarting Puna Geothermal Venture plant by year’s end
Barring any unexpected developments, Puna Geothermal Venture could be producing electricity for the Big Island by the end of the year. Read more
Yellow tang project holds promise for Hawaii’s popular, iconic fish
After years of trial and error, researchers finally proved what many thought wasn’t possible. Read more
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