Former Honolulu city employee charged in alleged $800k Hawaii Foodbank fraud

News admin June 23, 2026 0 Comments

Former Honolulu city employee charged in alleged $800k Hawaii Foodbank fraud

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A former Honolulu city employee is facing felony charges in an alleged fraud case involving the Hawaii Foodbank.

The Department of the Attorney General said Dexter Kishida was charged with first-degree theft, second-degree forgery and official misconduct. He was arrested Monday by investigators with the department’s Special Investigation and Prosecution Division.

Kishida served as the Food Security and Sustainability Program Manager for the City and County of Honolulu’s Office of Economic Revitalization.

The charges allege that between December 2021 and August 2023, Kishida represented to the Hawaii Foodbank that federal CARES Act funding was available and persuaded the organization to purchase and distribute approximately $800,000 worth of food for Oahu residents.

“Hawaii Foodbank acted in good faith to provide food assistance to Oahu residents during a time of significant community need. The food was purchased and distributed to help families facing food insecurity based on representations that funding had been authorized and would be reimbursed,” Amy Miller, President and CEO of Hawaii Foodbank said in a statement.

“We remain committed to the responsible stewardship of donor resources and the trust our community places in us. Our focus continues to be on serving individuals and families facing hunger across our communities,” she added.

“When public officials allegedly misuse their positions and provide false information that causes significant financial harm, we have a responsibility to investigate thoroughly and pursue accountability through the criminal justice system,” Attorney General Anne Lopez said.

Prosecutors allege the Hawaii Foodbank was never reimbursed for those expenditures.

Authorities further allege Kishida created or altered a city purchase order and fabricated emails to make it appear reimbursement was being processed, despite knowing there was no authorized contract or funding for the project.

“When public officials allegedly misuse their positions and provide false information that causes significant financial harm, we have a responsibility to investigate thoroughly and pursue accountability through the criminal justice system,” Attorney General Anne Lopez said.

First-degree theft is a Class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine. Second-degree forgery and official misconduct are Class C felonies punishable by up to five years in prison and fines of up to $10,000.

Kishida’s bail was set at $15,000. He is scheduled to be arraigned June 29 in First Circuit Court.