Despite apology, Hawaii mobster gets 9 years for role in crime syndicate

Harry Kauhi cooperated with the prosecution, testified against a crime boss and apologized for his actions.

by Jeremy Yurow, Court House News, March 4, 2025

HONOLULU (CN) — A federal judge on Tuesday sentenced Harry K. Kauhi, also known as "Harry Boy," to 8 years and 10 months in prison for his role in the criminal enterprise led by former Honolulu businessman Michael J. Miske Jr., marking another significant chapter in a complex federal racketeering case.

Kauhi, who pleaded guilty in January 2022 to racketeering conspiracy and Hobbs Act robbery, admitted to participating in a range of violent crimes within what prosecutors called the Miske Enterprise. He confronted his past actions during a sentencing hearing Tuesday, telling U.S. District Judge Derrick K. Watson, "First, I'd like to start by apologizing and saying I'm sorry for the poor choices that have brought me here today."

The prosecution portrayed the Miske operation as a sophisticated criminal network engaged in drug trafficking, kidnapping, and extortion. Kauhi's involvement included assisting in planned violent attacks and robberies designed to eliminate perceived threats to the organization's illicit operations.

Judge Watson highlighted the critical nature of Kauhi's cooperation, noting that his testimony was "crucial in corroborating key witnesses' testimony, including two of Miske's closest confidants and lieutenants." He noted Kauhi's decision to plead guilty and testify created "a series of dominoes" that helped prosecutors successfully pursue other members of the criminal enterprise.

Miske's trial revealed the enterprise's intricate methods of intimidation. During the trial, defense attorney Mark R. Zenger noted that Miske would attempt to intimidate witnesses directly, including an incident where Miske was seen "blowing kisses in and out of the courtroom" while Kauhi testified.

Miske saw his conviction vacated last month, after he was found dead in his cell in December reportedly from a fentanyl overdose. He was scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 30 and faced a mandatory life sentence.

On Tuesday, Kauhi acknowledged the effects of his crimes on his family. "To my children: I'm sorry for the boy I left behind in your life because of my bad choices," he said. "For each of you, I see hope for the future, and because of you, I strive to be a better person and father."

Zenger emphasized Kauhi's consistent concern for his four young children and his desire for redemption. "The one thing that stands out about Harry is his consistent concern for his children and his love for them," Zenger told the court. "His motivation to give back to his children and be a good father has been a consistent theme in our many discussions."

The sentencing included three years of supervised release with stringent conditions. These include mandatory drug testing, participation in substance abuse treatment, alcohol prohibition, gambling restrictions, and a requirement to disassociate from Miske Enterprise members. The court also recommended vocational and educational programming during his incarceration.

"There is no surer path to rehabilitation than starting by looking in the mirror and saying, 'I messed up,'" Judge Watson said. He praised Kauhi for acknowledging that "we don't live for ourselves. We live for our kids — they are the most important people on this earth."

Kauhi hopes to renew his commercial driver's license and find driving work to support his children, and relocate to Las Vegas after his release. Assistant U.S. Attorney W. KeAupuni Akina conceded that “he has a very specific plan for when he’s released. I haven’t heard that from any of the other witnesses. And I think he’ll be successful.” 

However, Akina also said that despite Kauhi's cooperation, his role in the operation warranted substantial punishment. Prosecutors argued that his actions were part of a broader pattern of criminal activity that threatened community safety and undermined law enforcement efforts.

A unique aspect of Kauhi's case involved his participation in the witness protection program, which limited his access to certain prison rehabilitation programs. His attorneys argued for a slight reduction in sentence to account for these unavailable programs, a request the judge found reasonable given Kauhi's lack of criminal history.

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