ODC v Katherine Puana Kealoha

News Release from Office of Disciplinary Counsel, July 3, 2019

HONOLULU, HAWAIʻI – On Wednesday, July 3, 2019, the Hawaiʻi
Supreme Court entered an order for the immediate restraint of
Hawaiʻi attorney Katherine Puana Kealoha from the practice law in
Hawaiʻi state jurisdiction.

The order of restraint is an interim procedure to protect the
public while Ms. Kealoha moves forward following her conviction in
the federal criminal case of the United States of America v.
Katherine P. Kealoha, case no. 17-CR-00582-JMS-WRP (D. Haw.). In
that matter, Kealoha was found to have committed crimes that
involved dishonesty, and included multiple felonies.

The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court also referred this matter to the
Disciplinary Board for determination of the appropriate sanction,
with proceedings stayed until the criminal proceedings are final,
following sentencing, appeal or expiration of the time to appeal.
Once disciplinary proceedings are commenced, the sole issue to be
determined is the professional discipline to be imposed.

Ms. Kealoha, age 48, was admitted to the Hawaiʻi bar in 1996, and
is a graduate of the University of Hawaiʻi, William S. Richardson
School of Law.

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SA: Hawaii Supreme Court bars Katherine Kealoha from practicing law

CB: Hawaii Supreme Court Restrains Kealoha From Practicing Law