Federal prosecutors seek to keep former Hawaii wrestling coach behind bars on charges involving child sexual abuse images
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) — A former high school wrestling coach who led Moanalua High School to multiple state titles is in federal custody facing child pornography charges and new allegations of improper sexual conduct and domestic violence claims.
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Federal prosecutors are asking a judge to hold 44-year-old Sean Sakaida without bail after additional witnesses contacted the FBI. Sakaida made his initial appearance in federal court in shackles and a white jumpsuit, remaining silent throughout the proceeding.
Criminal complaint details alleged misconduct
Court documents reveal an FBI tip prompted the investigation into an alleged inappropriate relationship between Sakaida and a 17-year-old female wrestler he had coached since her freshman year. According to records, a minor witness told investigators Sakaida and the teenager shared a bed during a wrestling trip to Las Vegas. Federal agents also reported finding multiple graphic images of the alleged victim on Sakaida’s iCloud account and in text message conversations.
In their detention motion, federal prosecutors argued Sakaida should remain behind bars for “child sexual abuse material, specifically videos of people matching the descriptions of Sakaida and a known minor victim engaged in sexual activity.” Prosecutors noted two other potential victims came forward after the FBI issued a call for tips.
Coaching history and prior allegations
Sakaida built a dominant program at Moanalua High School, guiding the girls wrestling team to four state championships and earning the National Wrestling Coaches Association High School Girls Head Coach of the Year award for Hawaii in 2025.
Federal charges accuse him of receiving and possessing child pornography between December 2025 and January 2026.
This is not the first time Sakaida has faced scrutiny. In 2012, while coaching at Roosevelt High School, a parent’s letter accused him of kissing a 13-year-old female wrestler. The Hawaii Department of Education suspended Sakaida pending an investigation, but later hired him at Moanalua, where he coached from 2013 to 2025.
At the time, Sakaida denied the allegations to Hawaii News Now.
“Never happened. That is totally false,” Sakaida said in 2012. “I heard about that rumor and I kinda just let it go. Maybe I should have addressed it more. But it never happened.”
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“You hear one side of the story,” he added. “And I feel that I should tell mine because mine is the truth. I coach other girls. I’m pretty sure their parents would say there’s no way he would do that. No way.”
Domestic abuse allegations and upcoming hearing
Separately, the mother of Sakaida’s three minor children has filed a petition for a temporary restraining order against him.
“Over the course of our 9-year relationship I suffered psychological abuse, name calling, financial abuse,” she wrote in court filings. “My oldest daughter was physically abused by respondent. He also threatened to kill her. I have also witnessed aggressive behaviors toward my son being pushed against wall, hit on the head and name calling.”
Sakaida is scheduled to appear for a detention hearing on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.
Responding to questions the DOE released this statement:
According to Department records, Sean Sakaida served as a wrestling and judo coach at Roosevelt High School during various school years between 2001 and 2013. He subsequently served as a wrestling coach at Moanalua High School from the 2013-14 through 2024-25 school years.
The Department is limited in what it can share regarding confidential personnel matters and student-related investigations. The safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priority, and we take all reports of misconduct involving students very seriously. We encourage anyone who may have been affected or has information relevant to the ongoing federal investigation to contact the FBI.
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