Luke used sheriff deputies to surrender after grand jury indictment
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, who has been on unpaid leave since April, used state sheriff deputies to turn herself in after a grand jury indicted her on bribery-related crimes and alleged campaign finance violations.
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HNN Investigates’ camera caught the black Chevy Traverse pulling into the Department of Law Enforcement’s cell block parking lot. A sheriff deputy was driving with another in the passenger seat. Luke was in the back seat.
She was escorted in to be booked on the charges.
After she posted bail, the deputies opened the vehicle door for her and drove her away.
‘A bad look,’ retired judge says
Retired Circuit Court judge Randy Lee said Luke is entitled to the benefits she is receiving.
“She still holds the position as lieutenant governor and she receives the benefits legally,” Lee said. “But from a public perception, it’s a bad look.”
Defense attorney and former deputy city prosecutor Megan Kau said Luke should have handled the surrender differently.
“She should have really just gone with her defense attorney, just like every other defendant, turned herself in in a private car and bailed out,” Kau said.
Taxpayers funding security for two lieutenant governors
Luke put herself on unpaid leave after she received a target letter from the state Attorney General’s office in April. Keith Regan was then appointed acting lieutenant governor.
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Records from the Department of Law Enforcement show Luke’s security team logged expenses of $154,626 in fiscal year 2025 and $94,930 in fiscal year 2026.
Those figures cover travel, per diem, hotel stays, vehicles, and fuel, but do not include the cost to pay the deputies themselves.
The acting lieutenant governor’s security team has spent $957 since he was appointed.
HNN Investigates requested that payroll information from the Department of Law Enforcement in May; the department has not yet provided it.
Camron Hurt of Common Cause Hawaii questioned the dual expenditure.
“Why are we having to compensate for two lieutenant governors?” Hurt said. “And how long will an unelected official assume this seat? Is it the best use of our resources?”
Political expert weighs in
HNN political analyst Colin Moore said the situation is without precedent.
“The voters hired Sylvia Luke to be the lieutenant governor, so I think it’s appropriate to continue providing her with security protection,” Moore said. “There could be people who wanted to harm her for who knows what reasons.”
Moore also said it’s reasonable for voters to be frustrated by this.
“She has been on a leave of absence. Now after the indictment, it may be time for her to formally resign that position, which of course would end her security protection,” he said.
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Luke’s attorney did not respond to a request for comment.
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