Law enforcement officials, kupuna advocates and state lawmakers urged caution and vigilance Wednesday after Honolulu
police reported Oahu residents lost more than
$7 million in 222 fraud cases this year.

Representatives from the Hawaii Bankers Association, state Department of Law Enforcement, AARP, the Honolulu Police Department, the Office of Consumer Protection at Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, and crypto currency ATM company Coin Flip briefed state lawmakers about how “prevalent fraud is in the state and what steps are being taken to prevent such crimes.”

The informational briefing was convened by state House Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce chair Rep. Scot Z. Matayoshi and Vice Chair Rep. Tina Nakada Grandinetti.

“Really the purpose of this is to address the fraud that we’ve seen in the community. It seems fraud scams are
increasing exponentially” said Matayoshi, at the outset of the briefing. “…mostly kupuna getting ripped off, sending money overseas, believing they are helping their…grandchild out of jail…or they won a lottery…it’s crushing. It’s become a real burden on our community. Just about everyone I’ve ever talked to knows somebody who has been scammed.”

Hawaii residents lost at least $55,180,901 last year to online crime, with kupuna age 60 and over losing more than $18 million, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s 2024 Internet Crime
Report.

Law enforcement officials caution that number is likely significantly higher as a lot of fraud losses go unreported.

Hawaii generated 2,603 online fraud complaints last year tied to U.S. dollar losses. Cryptocurrency investors in Hawaii filed 709 complaints and lost crypto valued at $24,893,821.

Kupuna in Hawaii over the age of 60 filed 647 complaints last year and lost $18,851,052.

That is an increase from
453 complaints filed by Hawaii residents age 60 and over in 2023. The 453 complaints in 2023 represented $27,965,497 in losses for seniors.

The losses by Hawaii fraud victims last year represent a significant increase from 2021, when local people lost
$17.2 million to online crimes.

Honolulu police Lt. Ioane Keehu of the department’s Financial Crimes Detail told lawmakers Wednesday that the average age of the 222 victims who reported $7,668,743 in fraud losses this year is 51.

There is an increase in online scams targeting residents with “high impact on kupuna and young alike,” Keehu said Wednesday.

Prevention is more effective than prosecution because the majority of financial fraudsters are outside U.S. jurisdiction and very difficult to arrest. Hawaii residents are often targeted because of “isolation and trust culture,” according to police.

“A lot of what we are seeing is impersonation scams, people pretending to be law enforcement, pretending to be a government agent and directing people to play a lot of money. Gift cards, crypto currency or wire transfer, for any…reason. ‘Hey you missed jury duty,’” said Keehu.

Elderly with fixed incomes are among the most high value targets for scammers because a larger amount of money is exposed after accumulating.

HPD is also seeing college-­aged individuals searching for rentals being scammed. Young people looking for housing fall prey to fake listings and scammers collecting deposits online.

Keehu said a rental scam case came in Wednesday morning before the briefing.

White collar professionals in Hawaii also are popular marks as they are targeted via investment scams as local families try to find financial investments, real estate or quick high return investments.

Some financial fraud purveyors execute schemes where they call or contact people and identify themselves as “HPD,” “Sheriff,” “IRS,” or “FBI.”

The callers threaten the mark that they will be arrested if immediate financial payments are not made.

Callers try to negotiate large lump sums, $5,000 to $10,000 and keep the fraud target on the phone until they agree on an amount and throughout the payment process.

Law enforcement or government agents will never ask for payments in the form crypto currency, gift cards, or wire transfers, Keehu said. HPD is also seeing cryptocurrency scams run through fake trading platforms and social media “gurus” that promise high guaranteed returns.

Police also detailed some of the tactics employed by fraudsters and urged the public to be aware for signs of scammers.

Callers will fake a sense
of urgency,” or “Account compromised.”

Fake law enforcement scammers sometimes say, “Don’t tell anyone or the case is ruined” and use fake badges, spoofed numbers, and scripted dialogue.

Professional scammers go so far as to create fake websites, AI-generated voices, and doctored IDs.

Keehu highlighted two types of fraud cases for lawmakers that they are seeing an increasing amount of.

The “Grandson in Jail” scam uses a caller who claims a grandchild has been arrested and needs $15,000 in bail money. Victims panic, send the money to an overseas account and the money is gone.

“Prevention would have stopped the loss,” according to HPD. Keehu told lawmakers he has kept scammers trying to take him on the phone for an hour, just to keep them too busy to scam others.

The other prevalent scheme HPD is seeing involves cryptocurrency and demands made by fake police officers. Targets are pressured into depositing $10,000 into cryptocurrency ATMs after calling with a spoofed HPD number.

Once the money is deposited and converted into crypto it is immediately split into multiple wallets.

Keehu urged residents to slow down any financial decision under pressure and verify the identity by calling back on official numbers.

Never pay with gift cards, crypto, or wire unless verified, and talk to a trusted family member or friend before sending money.

Keehu urged residents to report the scam early to HPD by calling 911 or walking into a police station and filing a report.

“We would like to see that 911 report…a patrol officer comes to your house or you come to the police station,” said Keehu. “Even though you may not get your money back, you may help us…stopping someone else from getting scammed.”

In January when state lawmakers convene, the AARP will push for cryptocurrency kiosk anti-fraud legislation to “expand consumer protections around the machines,” according to a statement.

The legislation will include a daily transaction limit, fraud warnings on the machines, clear details about fees, and receipts with transaction information.

The AARP wants Hawaii to join 18 states that have passed laws or issued regulations.

AARP Hawaii has argued that putting a limit of $2,000 per transaction and adding other consumer protections to cryptocurrency ATMs makes sense and will help “protect kupuna and consumers of all ages.”

“Kupuna, over their entire lifetime working have saved up resources. That’s what makes it tragic. When they lose their resources to a scam, they don’t have 10 to 20 years to make up that loss,” said Kealii Lopez, AARP Hawaii state director, speaking to lawmakers Wednesday. If it’s significant they are losing their homes. They are losing their retirement accounts. Scams really are an epidemic.”

The AARP operates a Fraud Watch Network with links to resources for prevention, reporting, and tips to protect their resources. Their helplines available at 877-908-3360, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The University of Hawaii is trying to recruit and keep more athletes by taking over fundraising.

Players and coaches say the new process is a game changer.

During recruitment as a transfer student, UH senior Allaire Berl said money did not motivate her decision to join the ‘Bows’ women’s tennis team.

“I was offered more money at other schools, and that was definitely something I thought about for a little, but once I came out and actually met the people here and just saw how hard working everyone is on the team, it was kind of a no-brainer for me to come here,” Berl recalled.

Teammate Makeilah Nepomuceno agreed, adding, “With looking at other schools, honestly nothing beat my official visit when I visited here in Hawaii. It was really about the people.”

After meeting UH women’s tennis coach Jun Hernandez, junior Hannah Galindo also felt becoming a ‘Bow “wasn’t that difficult of a decision.”

But not all recruits feel the same, as Hernandez is well aware of, after losing about 40 prospects just this year to more profitable opportunities at other schools.

“It’s always a heartbreaker, because obviously, we look for a strong student athlete, not only they’re good students, great athletes, but also good people,” Hernandez shared.

The tennis team is not alone, as others at UH have also been plagued by players who either don’t want to commit to the school, or athletes already on the roster who transfer elsewhere over funding.

Related post: Hawaii athletics director, coaches call for NIL funding to stay competitive

‘Bows women’s basketball coach Laura Beeman emphasized business partnerships involving athletes’ name, image, and likeness (NILs) are appealing deals for players.

“You cannot practice hard enough to replace a player you lose to NIL money,” Beeman pointed out. “Are we going to be able to compete with the power fours? Absolutely not, but we have to make ourselves relevant in the Mountain West.”

This week, UH’s athletics director Matt Elliott announced a new fundraising initiative to “recruit and retain elite student athletes.”

“Over the last few months, we have been developing a vision for excellence at the UH athletics department,” Elliott said in a video posted on YouTube. “This program is going to continue to grow over coming days, weeks, and months.”

The process includes NIL collaborations with local businesses, as well as direct donations to any team.

Backers used to have to contribute through third parties, but now, UH is taking over to streamline the process.

Hernandez hopes the new structure will secure quality athletes like his own players, not only for their love of the game, but also their love for Hawaii, with the motivation to stay and represent the islands well.

“Being here, I’m so so happy I chose it, it’s been the best decision I’ve ever made,” Berl shared.

Supporters are also encouraged to attend fundraising events.

Below is a list of links to UH athletics’ donation sites, as well as a calendar for fundraisers:

1. Our Team, Hawai’i’s Team Fund – Tax deductible donations to support essential operations like travel, nutrition, and student-athlete health.

2. Boost the ‘Bows Fund (Institutional NIL) – Tax deductible donations to support recruitment and retention for elite student-athletes and strengthen our scholarship resources. For each fund, you are able to support at the department-wide level or direct your gift to a specific team.

3. Non-Institutional NIL – Creates opportunities for student-athletes through partnerships with local businesses. Engage with any of the UH student-athletes registered on INFLCR. If you don’t see a specific student-athlete, let us know.

4. Events – Join us at community and fundraising events throughout the year. To see our new all-encompassing events calendar for 2025-26, click here.

Copyright 2025 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.

YPSILANTI, MI — The newest coffee shop in Ypsilanti is bringing Hawaii “vibes” to the city.

Upbeat music, leather seats and big television screens fill Ohana Lounge, 11 E. Cross St., according to Darius Smith, founder of the coffee shop. Tiki umbrellas and a small food trailer sit outside the coffee lounge.

Ohana Lounge officially opened Oct. 25 after a soft opening in July, Smith said.

Smith, 47, said the space was most recently unused, though a high-end glass bong shop occupied it over a year ago.

He also said residents typically see this type of coffee shop in larger cities, but he wanted to bring something “that doesn’t exist” to Ypsilanti.

Smith, of Saline, got inspiration for a Hawaii-themed coffee shop after he and his wife visited the state more than two years ago.

“You want to be comfortable, and I think that we captured that,” Smith said.

He said his business has been well-received by the community. He also said Ohana Lounge is the next step in his goal “to have operations inside of buildings or real estate that I could purchase” and he would like to see similar coffee shops in the future.

His latest efforts have been marketing the coffee shop, including its use of Zingerman’s coffee products. He said Ohana Lounge is the first shop in the Ypsilanti area to sell Zingerman’s coffee.

“I’m a huge fan of how much they care about their product, where things come from and to bring that aspect over is really awesome,” Smith said.

Smith said he began conversations with the Zingerman’s staff in June, a month before the soft opening.

Ohana Lounge also offers pastries from Dom Bakeries, 1305 Washtenaw Ave.

Popular menu items include the salmon lox bagel, Cobb salad and Caesar salad.

The shop also sells soups, smoothies and ice cream floats.

His plans for the next few months include promoting Ohana Lounge, preparing the space for event rentals and upgrading the menu.

Outside of his coffee shop, Smith is the founder of the Food Folks Fun Podcast Network. He produces several podcasts, including one with University of Michigan Regent Denise Ilitch.

Ohana Lounge is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday.

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