Crime Statistics

Maui resident Christopher Steven Helmer, 37, was sentenced today to a 10-year prison term for kidnapping, terroristic threatening, and related firearms and drug offenses, with the term ordered to run consecutively to a prison sentence he is already serving for a separate armed carjacking.

United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced that Justin Nelson, 43, of Kīhei, Maui, appeared Thursday, Sept. 3, before US Magistrate Judge Wes Reber Porter and entered a plea of guilty to bank robbery. Sentencing is set for Dec. 18, 2026 before Senior US District Judge Helen Gillmor.

County of Maui Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Martin announced the indictment of a Maui Police Department officer on multiple counts of alleged sexual assault. The charges stem from an encounter between the officer and a citizen following a single-car crash of the victim’s vehicle.

A 12-year veteran of the Maui Police Department was arrested by MPD on a $150,000 warrant on Monday, Aug. 31, 2026.

A construction project on the Maui High School campus was significantly vandalized, causing major damage to what will become a new restroom. Concrete walls, columns, pallets of concrete blocks and other areas inside the site were demolished. State officials described the extent as criminal property damage and say the incident occurred Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.

Chief John Pelletier emphasized a “zero tolerance” approach to the incident, initiating both internal and external audits in an effort to restore public trust. The external review will be conducted by Hawaiʻi County Police Chief Reed K. Mahuna to ensure transparency and objectivity.

Two Maui men were arrested on eight criminal counts for alleged involvement in labor trafficking and extortion, following the execution of search warrants at a Kīhei residence on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026.

The community is invited to join in department-led Officer Suzanne O Sign Waving events in honor of her memory and to encourage the passage of the Officer Suzanne O Bill during the upcoming legislative session.

Maui police have launched a second degree murder investigation into the death of a 71-year-old man in Kahului, Thursday night.

A ninth person was arrested in connection with an investigation into an assault and riot that occurred on Friday, July 17, 2026, at the pool area of Kāʻanapali Aliʻi in Lahaina.

“These allegations involving Lieutenant Michael Vaitu’ulala are difficult for me to reconcile with the person I have known both professionally and personally for many years. I trusted him and considered him a friend, and he was present during deeply personal moments in my life, including conducting the blessing when my father’s ashes were scattered,” said Pelletier.

Probable cause was found Thursday during a preliminary hearing for 40-year-old Congressional candidate Kirill Basin of Kīhei, who is accused of two counts of first degree terroristic threatening for an incident reported Saturday at Keawakapu Beach in South Maui.

Michael Vaituʻulala, 53, a lieutenant with the Maui Police Department, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, according to an announcement today from the United States Attorney Ken Sorenson.

The Maui Police Department confirmed the arrest of Lt. Michael Vaituʻulala by federal authorities on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Hawaiʻi plans to issue a statement tomorrow, once the complaint has been unsealed.

The victim, a 63-year-old Lahaina male, succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Review of surveillance footage reveals that at approximately 1:45 a.m., a 20-year-old Lahaina man without clothing approached the victim’s office and brutally attacked him before feeling on foot.

Maui officers responded to a residence on Hoʻowaiwai Loop in Wailuku regarding a 36-year-old Wailuku man who had allegedly violated an Order for Protection and barricaded himself inside. The incident was reported at around 8:08 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.

A 40-year-old Kīhei man identified as Congressional candidate Kirill Basin, was placed under arrest again, this time for a terroristic threatening incident reported on Saturday at a South Maui beach.

A 17-year-old Lahaina male turned himself in on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in connection with the investigation of an organized retail theft of thousands of dollars in luxury items from Wailea retailers earlier in the week. He was arrested on suspicion of second-degree theft and criminal conspiracy.

On Thursday, July 30, 2026, a 14-year-old Lahaina boy voluntarily turned himself in at the Wailuku Police Station.  He was arrested on the suspicion on riot.  On Thursday, July 30, 2026, a 14-year-old Lahaina boy voluntarily turned himself in at the Wailuku Police Station.  He was arrested on the suspicion on riot.  

Maui police officers responded to reports of an organized retail theft at a Wailea retail complex Tuesday evening, where three suspects allegedly stole luxury items valued at over $80,000. Two male suspects—an 18-year-old from Miami and a 15-year-old from Lahaina—were detained; while a third suspect, identified as a male juvenile, fled the area and remains at large.