HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii lawmakers are raising questions about the timeline of Attorney General Anne Lopez’s investigation into a legislator who was recorded taking $35,000 in an FBI operation.
There is conflicting information being publicly released about the case’s completion.
Two representatives, Rep. Della Au Belatti and Rep. Kanani Souza, sent a letter to Gov. Josh Green asking him to clarify comments he made regarding the schedule when he appeared on Hawaii News Now’s Spotlight Now show in late January.
Green said he thought the case could realistically be completed by spring.
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“I don’t see why — with the evidence that they’re getting from the federal government — they wouldn’t have a gigantic head start,” Green said. “I assume they’re going to have to do some interviews with anybody who is being accused of acting in a terrible way. But that interview or interviews should be quick.”
That would be during the legislative session and could be helpful for bills dealing with campaign finance reform.
View the letter from Reps. Belatti and Souza:
Lawmakers given a different timeline
However, the letter pointed out that Lopez does not appear to share the governor’s goal. The representatives wrote that the attorney general “has informed House Speaker (Nadine) Nakamura that she expects to have the investigation completed by August 2026,” long after the session is over.
The representatives called that timeline troubling, especially since the person who took the money could still hold elected office.
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The Aug. 8 primary election also means the information may not be public when voters go to the polls, and the unnamed person could be up for reelection.
“We want the investigation to be complete by the spring so that we can take action as the legislature before our session ends in May,” said Souza.
Belatti questioned the conflicting schedule: “Not having the answers to these questions and not being able to administratively deal with the impacts that this person may still have on the legislative process is very troubling.”
In a statement, the spokesperson for Attorney General Lopez said the attorney general did not tell anyone it would be August 2026.
The statement said, “The Attorney General did not communicate a specific date, or even month, for when the investigation would be completed.”
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A statement on behalf of Nakamura did not answer HNN Investigates’ question about the August 2026 detail. It said, “The Speaker has not received any investigative details that would influence the investigation.” The statement continued that Nakamura “has urged the Attorney General to prioritize and expedite the review.”
A spokesperson for the governor did not respond to questions about the timeline either, but said in their statement, “This needs to be resolved for the good of our public trust,” and called the situation ”deeply concerning, and accountability is essential – no one gets a free pass.”
Second letter seeks legislative action details
A second letter from five representatives was sent to Nakamura on Feb. 2, asking for more details on a petition that called for the legislature to conduct its own investigation into the matter.
The representatives wanted to know when it would be presented to the House for review and what procedures and rules would apply.
“We need to understand the circumstances so we can better write legislation as well as hold this $35,000 person accountable,” Belatti said.
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Souza said the delayed response creates additional concerns about transparency.
“Right now the lack of timely response and the lack of a timely report, even a preliminary report, makes this look even more like a cover-up,” Souza said.
View the second letter from lawmakers:
Bills related to campaign finance reform are currently moving through the Capitol.
The mystery lawmaker was called an “influential state legislator” by federal prosecutors in a court record connected to a bribery case that sent former state Rep. Ty Cullen and former state Sen. Kalani English to prison. Businessman Milton Choy was at the center of the scandal, and died while in federal prison serving a three-year sentence.
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At UH Hilo, ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi is not simply a subject taught in classrooms, it is a living language that connects us to this place, to one another, and to the generations who came before us.
This column is by Pelehonuamea Harman, director of Native Hawaiian engagement at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. In her columns, Pele shares Native Hawaiian protocols on the use of ōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language), cultural traditions, traditional ways of Indigenous learning, and more. This column is on Mahina ʻOlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian Language Month), celebrated every February to honor the Hawaiian language.Pelehonuamea Harman
Each year, the month of Pepeluali marks Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, a time dedicated to celebrating and uplifting the Hawaiian language. At the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi is not simply a subject taught in classrooms, it is a living language that connects us to this place, to one another, and to the generations who came before us.
While Pepeluali gives us a focused moment of celebration, the Hawaiian language should not live only within a single month. ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi thrives when it is used every day.
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One of the simplest and most meaningful ways to begin is by pronouncing the words we already encounter daily with accuracy and care. Hawaiian is an oral language carried through voice and relationship. When we take the time to say words correctly, we demonstrate respect for the language and for the poʻe (people) who have worked tirelessly to ensure its survival.
Across our own campus, we have opportunities to do this every day.
Let us honor the names of our places by using them fully:
An attendee at celebrations on May 6, 2023, takes a photo of the new Edith Kanakaʻole mural by artist Kamea Hadar. The mural is located at Edith Kanakaʻole Hall, named after beloved educator Aunty Edith, on the campus of UH Hilo. (Photo: UH System News)
Kanakaʻole Hall, not “K-Hall.” (Formally Edith Kanakaʻole Hall, named after our beloved kumu.)
Waiʻōlino, not “CoBE,” for our College of Business and Economics. (Formally Hānau ʻO Waiʻōlino; waiʻōlino literally means sparkling waters, alluding here to bringing forth waters of wellbeing and prosperity.)
These names are not merely labels for buildings. They carry ʻike (knowledge), history, and meaning. Speaking them in their entirety acknowledges the stories and values embedded within them.
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Using ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi does not require fluency. It simply requires willingness. Each of us already knows words we can begin using more intentionally.
Greet one another with aloha.
Express gratitude with mahalo whenever possible.
Small choices like these help normalize Hawaiian language in our daily interactions and strengthen UH Hilo’s identity as a place grounded in Hawaiʻi.
One of the most common questions I am asked is: How do you respond in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi when someone says “mahalo” to you?
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Here are three simple and appropriate responses:
ʻAʻole pilikia — It’s no problem.
He mea iki — It is just a little thing.
Noʻu ka hauʻoli — The pleasure is mine.
There is no single correct answer. What matters most is participating in the exchange and allowing the language to live through conversation.
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Aerial view of the UH Hilo campus with Hilo Bay in the distance. UH Hilo’s commitment to Native Hawaiian success and place-based education calls on all of us to help create an environment where ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi is visible, audible, and welcomed. (Archive photo)
UH Hilo holds a unique and important role as Hawaiʻi Island’s university. Our commitment to Native Hawaiian success and place-based education calls on all of us to help create an environment where ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi is visible, audible, and welcomed.
You do not need to wait until you feel ready. You do not need to know many words. The language grows stronger each time it is spoken.
So during Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and throughout the entire year I encourage the UH Hilo ʻohana to:
Use the Hawaiian words you already know.
Pronounce names and places with intention and care.
Greet others with aloha.
Share mahalo often.
Because when we use ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, we are doing more than speaking words, we are helping to perpetuate and uplift the native language of our home.
E ola ka ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi. Let the Hawaiian language live.
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors Tread Rosenthal, Trevell Jordan and Louis Sakanoko put up a triple block against BYU Cougars Trevor Herget during Wednesday’s NCAA men’s volleyball match at the Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.
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Kainoa Wade came on strong to lead another balanced Hawaii attack with 16 kills and the third-ranked Rainbow Warriors responded to a rare set loss in a big way to defeat No. 6 Brigham Young 27-25, 23-25, 25-17, 25-18 tonight.
A Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center crowd of 4,800, who showed up for a match scheduled just three weeks ago as a late addition to the schedule, saw Hawaii (13-1) drop the second set despite hitting .538.
UH had full command of the rest of the match and finished the night hitting .460 as a team. Louis Sakanoko added 15 kills, six digs and three aces and Adrien Roure had 14 kills in 24 swings.
Middle Travell Jordan posted a season-high seven kills in 11 swings with four blocks and Ofeck Hazan, who came into the match to start the third set, had four kills and two blocks.
Trent Moser had 18 kills to lead the Cougars (13-3), whose previous two losses came in five sets against No. 4 UC Irvine.
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UH’s loss in the second set was just its sixth of the season and third in its 13 wins. Hawaii has won 10 matches in a row.
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The two teams will play again on Friday night at 7.
