List of Hawaii political scandals

This article provides a list of political scandals which occurred in the U.S. state of Hawaii. It is organized in reverse chronological order from most recent to oldest.

Politician is defined as "a person who is professionally involved in politics", and includes not only those elected to office, their staffs and appointees, but also those who routinely work in politics such as pollsters. Major officials of political parties and their staffs, as well as those elected by their party to be candidates are also included. Local politicians, mayors, sheriffs, and county officials should not be included.

Scandal is defined as "loss of, or damage to, reputation caused by actual or apparent violation of morality or propriety". Breaking the law is always considered a scandal. The finding of a public court is the sole method used to determine a violation of law, but it is not the sole method of determining a scandal.

Please note that all people are considered innocent until proven guilty. Allegations of misconduct do not imply guilt nor do admissions of guilt in the absence of a conviction. Investigations that end without a determination do not imply innocence.

Breaches of ethics, unproven crimes or cover-ups may or may not result in inclusion depending on the amount of publicity generated, and the seriousness of the crime, if any. Notoriety and notability are a major determinant of a scandal. Politicians who resign, quit, flee, or commit suicide while being investigated or threatened with investigation may also be included.

Different scandals on different dates may result in multiple listings.

The list does not include crimes that occur outside the politician's tenure (such as before or after his term in office) unless they specifically stem from acts made while in office, such as bribery, and discovered later.

Given the political nature of legislatures where the leading party has determining power, politicians who are Rebuked, Denounced, Censured, Admonished, Condemned, Suspended, Reprimanded, Found in Contempt, Found to have Acted Improperly, or of using Poor Judgment are not included unless the scandal is exceptional or leads to further action such as expulsion, conviction or resignation. Executive pardons may or may not be mentioned, but do not erase the scandal. The verdict and legal proceedings are not affected by pardons, but may affect the sentence.

State of Hawaii

• Stacy Higa ( ) Executive Director of the Hawaii Commission for National and Community Service a former public official from Hilo, was accused of embezzling $38,000 from AmeriCorps between 2011 and 2020 and using the funds on personal expenses. He was found guilty and sentenced to 46 months in prison. (2021)

• Ty Cullen (D) State Representative from the 39th District, was charged with honest services fraud for accepting $23,000 in bribes in return for influencing cesspool regulations. He pled guilty and resigned his seat. (2021)

• Jamie Kalani English (D) State Representative and House Majority Leader from District 7, was accused of honest services fraud for accepting $18,000 in bribes and gifts for using his influence to prevent regulation of cesspools. He pled guilty. (2021)

• Shirlene Ostrov (R) Chairwoman of the Hawaii Republican Party, learned that a senior GOP member used the states’ official GOP twitter account to support party QAnon supporters. She resigned abruptly. (2021)

• Nicholas Ochs (R) Candidate for State Representative from Waikiki and leader of the Hawaiian chapter of the Proud Boys was present at the January 6 United States Capitol attack and admitted entering the capitol as well as throwing smoke bombs at police. He was arrested, pled guilty to obstruction of an official proceeding, and sentenced to four years in prison. (2020)

• Joseph M. Souki (D) State Representative and Speaker of the House from the 8th District, was accused by the Hawaii State Ethics Commission of multiple counts of sexual harassment including unwanted kissing, touching and use of sexual language. Souki agreed to apologize, paid a $5,000 fine and resigned. (2018)

• Galen Fox (R) State Representative from District 23 and House Minority Leader, was convicted of sexual misconduct when he improperly touched a woman on an airplane sitting next to him. He was found guilty and resigned. He was also sentenced to 90 days home detention, psychological treatment, three years’ probation and registered as a sex offender. (2004)

• Nathan Suzuki (D) State Representative was found guilty of conspiracy to commit tax fraud. He was sentenced to three years in prison. (2004)

• Marshall Ige (D) State Senator from the 24th District, was convicted of theft and tax evasion and sentenced to six months in jail. (2002)

• Milton Holt (D) State Senator, was accused of misuse of campaign funds, found guilty and sentenced to one year in jail for mail fraud. (1999)

See also

• Lists of political scandals in the United States by state or territory
• List of federal political scandals in the United States

• List of American state and local politicians convicted of crimes

References

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