“For years, people in Hawaiʻi have wondered, why can’t we investigate and prosecute our own public officials for corruption? This is the reason why the Legislature created the Special Investigation and Prosecution Division. From the outset of this investigation, I have repeated that we have a commitment to following the facts to where they lead, no matter how long it takes to get there. The SIPD has been working tremendously hard over the last six months to get us here.” – AG Lopez
TRANSLATION: We created SIPD so we can stage controlled corruption 'investigations' that produce the minimum damage to our corrupt officials and allow the game to continue.
* * * * *
EDITOR's NOTES:
In the Indictment, nobody is charged with taking $35K in a brown paper bag. The number 35 comes up only once in reference to a $70K campaign fundraising goal Solidum is fulfilling for Luke (see highlight).
Ford Fuchigami is charged for acts committed while working for Sen Donovan DelaCruz' Committee on Ways and Means--not for anything he did as Chief of the grossly corrupt DoT Airports Division. And not for anything Fuchigami did as Gov David Ige's Administive Director. As of the Indictment, Fuchigami still is Chief of the Airports Division.
LINK: Naming Names: Airports Division Ran Late-Night Parties Where Hawaii Politicians Raked In Money -- This is what the State AG is NOT indicting. Therefore it is what she is protecting from the Feds.
Of course, Dela Cruz is not charged with anything.
Fuchigami is alleged to tke direct cash payments again and again. He was just a staffer. With whom did he share this cash? Did he suddenly have his hand out when he started working for DelaCruz? In what other roles has Fuchigami taken cash money. The answers are obvious and yet the AG does not even pose the questions. That is the AG's point when she says: “For years, people in Hawaiʻi have wondered, why can’t we investigate and prosecute our own public officials for corruption? This is the reason why the Legislature created the Special Investigation and Prosecution Division." Under Federal pressure, it now makes sense for the crooks to sacrifice some of their own in a controlled manner.
Obviously the point of his exercise is to protect the pervasive corruption eminating from the DoT Airports Division and to protect participants in the Ige Administration and Caldwell Administration.
Several passages from the 'overt acts' section of he indictment below are clearly transcribed from a recording--presumably Cullen's federal wire. Note that Cullen's family has continued to prosper in politics despite his role as a federal rat. This should be a clue.
As always, the slogan is 'Defend Hawaii.'
The most likely explanation for these indictments is that they are designed to present the minimum case capable of forestalling federal prosecutors. Given the five high ranking officials charged, the 'larger' federal prosecution would have been very large indeed. A real investigation into the Airports Division would take down a substantial portion of elected and appointed officials.
* * * * *
1CPC-26-0000936 Indictment State v. Tobi Solidum, et al. 24-JUL-2026
INDICTED 12 Counts: TOBI SOLIDUM, SYLVIA LUKE, RYAN YAMANE, FORD FUCHIGAMI, and LEODOLOFF ASUNCION, JR.,
Here are the ‘overt acts’ from the indictment:
INDICTMENT
The Grand Jury charges:
COUNT 1: From on or about February 18, 2020, to and including April 12, 2022, in the City and County of Honolulu, State of Hawai 'i, Tobi Solidum, Sylvia Luke, Ryan Yamane, and/or Ford Fuchigami, with the intent to promote or facilitate the commission of the crime Bribery, did agree with one or more persons that one or more of them would engage in the conduct and/or would cause the result specified by the definition of the offense of Bribery, thereby committing the offense of Conspiracy to Commit Bribery in violation of Sections 705-520 and 710-1040(l)(a) of the Hawai 'i Revised Statutes….
In furtherance of the conspiracy and to effect the objects thereof, the following overt acts, among others, were committed on or about February 18, 2020, to and including April 12, 2022, in the City and County of Honolulu, State of Hawai 'i:
OVERT ACTS RELATING TO SOLIDUM AND LUKE
1. As of January 18, 2022, Sylvia Luke ("Luke") and Tobi Solidum ("Solidum") had agreed to meet on January 20, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. at Morton's The Steakhouse at Ala Moana Shopping Center ("Morton's"). At the time, Luke was an elected Representative in the Hawai 'i State Legislature and the Chair of the House of Representatives ("House") Committee on Finance. She had announced that she was running for Lieutenant Governor of the State of Hawai 'i. Solidum, meanwhile, had developed lucrative financial interests related to the State of Hawai 'i Department of Health's ("DOH") contract with the National Kidney Foundation of Hawai 'i to provide community testing for COVID-19 ("COVID"). The purpose of the January 20, 2022 meeting was for Solidum to confer, offer, or agree to confer campaign contributions to Luke with the intent to influence Luke's vote, exercise of discretion, or other action in her official capacity as an elected Representative in the Hawai 'i State Legislature.
2. On January 18, 2022 at about noon, Solidum met with Ty Cullen ("Cullen") at the Elks Lodge in Waikiki ("Elks Club"). At the time, Cullen was an elected Representative in the Hawai 'i State Legislature and the Vice Chair of the House Committee on Finance. Solidum told Cullen that the COVID pandemic was still an issue and that he had recently spoken with DOH Deputy Director Cathy Ross ("Ross"). Solidum told Cullen that DOH was running out of money for COVID testing because DOH never got money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency ("FEMA"). Solidum said that DOH was going to "cut us off by February." Solidum brought up the prospect of using State of Hawai 'i resiliency funds to continue to fund COVID community testing sites. Solidum said that it cost $54,000,000 to maintain 25 COVID community testing sites for one year and that did not include the cost of COVID tests and labor. Solidum said that he spoke to Luke about using a different formula to fund community testing and that they were supposed to meet. Solidum asked Cullen if he wanted to join Solidum and Luke for dinner and Cullen agreed. Solidum said that DOH should make a request to "you guys" or to the Governor for an emergency appropriation. Solidum said that it took a long time to build up community testing sites and that he was out "like $11,000,000." Solidum confirmed that Cullen would join Solidum, Luke, and Kristen Pae ("Pae") at Morton's on January 20, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. for dinner. Solidum told Cullen that Luke was "Running for LG now. All I gotta do is give her more money."
3. On January 18, 2022 at about 2:55 p.m., Solidum texted Ross to set up a phone call between them. Ross asked Solidum if it was something they could discuss the next day. Solidum told Ross, "Ok I'11 be meeting with Sylvia on Thursday to request for additional funds to sustain statewide testing infrastructure[.]" Ross asked, "For post march 31st?" Solidum said, "Yes[.] We may change testing model to bill insurance or Feds but maintain statewide infrastructure[.]" Ross asked, "Does the insurance model work?" Solidum replied, "Just toying with it now[.] I think it could as long as we can have infrastructure funding to maintain target sites[.]"
4. On January 19, 2022, in preparation for his meeting with Luke, Solidum arranged to meet Ross at the Elks Club on January 20, 2022 to discuss state funding for community testing for COVID.
5. On January 20, 2022 at 1:41 p.m., Solidum texted Pae and instructed her to write a $5,000 check to Friends of Sylvia Luke and to bring the check to Morton's.
6. On January 20, 2022 at about 4:00 p.m., in preparation for his meeting with Luke, Solidum met with Ross at the Elks Club to discuss state funding for community testing for COVID.
7. On January 20, 2022 at about 5:30 p.m., Luke, Solidum, Cullen, and Pae met in a private dining area at Morton's. After Luke arrived, Solidum told her that Pae had a couple of checks to give her. Luke said, "Oh, thank you." Pae placed an envelope on the table. Luke picked up the envelope and put it in her handbag. That envelope contained a $5,000 check from Solidum and a $5,000 check from Pae, both written out to Friends of Sylvia Luke. Solidum told Luke, "By next week we'll have 35-so it will be halfway to our 70." Luke responded, "Oh wow" and "That's terrific." Solidum said, "So I'll get you your 70 but just gotta get to that point okay? It's our fundraiser." Luke said, "That's like the last thing you should be ... " Solidum said, "No, what you talking about? That was what we committed so we gonna follow through that commitment."
8. Later during the meeting on January 20, 2022, Solidum and Luke discussed the prospect of funding community testing for COVID.
Solidum: So on our side, the testing side-we're anticipating that DOH will run out of money by March.
Luke: Yeah, everybody is running out of money by March.
Solidum: So if they run out of money-
Luke: M-hmm.
Solidum: --by March uhm DOCD-
Luke: Yeah.
Solidum: --has funds.
Luke: M-hmm.
Solidum: That they can go ahead and release-
Luke: Yeah.
Solidum: --uhm and DOCD isn't giving the money to Cathy or Libby.
Luke: Yeah, so...
Solidum: Is there any way you can push DOCD to release those funds?
Luke: So, so they still have money and they still have a lot of CARES and ARPA money-
Solidum: So-
Luke: -that they have not spent.
Solidum: -Cathy calculated about 15 or 16 million.
Luke: M-hmm.
Solidum: Right? And the ask-cause I just met with Cathy before I even came here. The ask is-
Luke: Why would they not release it? I mean you still need uh-
Solidum: That's the boss right? But I was wondering, how come-this is an agency of the department-
Luke: Uh-huh. Yeah, yeah.
Solidum: -. you would think the director or the deputy director could tell the [Laughs] the people in DOCD Sarah Kemble them. There's a need to go ahead-
Luke: What? That's so funny, so Sarah Kemble [Laughing] is not releasing? [Laughing]
Solidum: So Sarah Kemble isn't releasing the money. So we need the 15 to 16 million.
Luke: Yeah [unintelligible].
Solidum: To go beyond March.
Cullen: M-hmm.
Solidum: Right? Uh so that would help a lot, right? Now because we are the state testing partner, right? And I guess we do over half the tests across the state. We have to look at resilience or is there a need for resilience right to maintain infrastructure across the state. So as you know Sylvia, when we started this thing-we had to front between 6 and 7 million dollars right before we even said hello to anybody from-from the state. So anybody who wants to get into this game-to restart the machine right-gonna have to do the same thing that we did and try to go and get-get this infrastructure thing set up. Do you think it's necessary to carry the infrastructure on for at least end of the year or...
Luke: Yeah.
Solidum: [Unintelligible] to go beyond because if there, if there's a need then we have to look resi-resiliency monies. From what I understand, Luke Meyers through HIBMA ...
Luke: Yeah.
Cullen: Luke Meyers.
Solidum: Has the capability of drawing down federal funds three to one uh based on whatever needs there are for the state. So if it's open for discussion, we'd at least like to see what the possibility is to try to draw down those funds.
[Pause]
Luke: Yeah, I'll follow up.
Solidum: Okay-
Luke: Cause they-they're supposed to have money. And you know uhm I went to two functions where I had to do rapid test before I went
Solidum: Uh-huh.
Luke: --the meeting and that's really good because I think that's how's it's gonna be now.
Solidum: Exactly.
9. During the meeting on January 20, 2022, Solidum discussed obtaining union support for Luke and providing Luke with additional campaign contributions. Towards the end of the meeting, Solidum told Luke, "We'll follow through the 70,000 at least." Solidum told Luke,"... we'll give you other checks ... and like I said, we'11 fulfill our commitment ... " Luke said, "Yeah, no thank you." Solidum responded, "You' re welcome Lieutenant Governor. [Laughs] And chair Cullen of whatever committee you want to be."
10. On January 21, 2022, Luke gave Solidum's and Pae's $5,000 campaign contribution checks to a Friends of Sylvia Luke volunteer to be deposited. On January 21, 2022, Solidum's and Pae's $5,000 campaign contribution checks were deposited into Friends of Sylvia Luke's bank account.
11. On January 21, 2022, Luke instructed Linda Ichiyama ("Ichiyama"), an elected Representative in the Hawai 'i State Legislature and the Chair of the House Committee on Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness, to arrange a meeting with government officials to discuss emergency appropriations to DOH.
12. On January 25, 2022, Luke attended a meeting with government officials to discuss emergency appropriations to DOH and DOH's ability to pay for COVID community testing.
13. On February 25, 2022, Luke chaired the House Committee on Finance and voted to pass H.B. No. 2392 H.D. 1 without amendment. The House Committee on Finance passed H.B. No. 2392 H.D. 1 without amendment.
14. On March 3, 2022, Luke signed Standing Committee Report No. 727-22 relating to H.B. No. 2392 H.D. 1.
15. On March 24, 2022, Luke informed DOH officials that she approved the funding amounts appropriated to DOH in H.B. No. 2392 H.D. 1 S.D. 1.
16. On March 30, 2022, Luke instructed Ichiyama to submit an agreement form for H.B. No. 2392 H.D. 1 S.D. 1 to the Speaker of the House.
17. On April 4, 2022, Luke instructed Ichiyama that the House could not agree to H.B. No. 2392 H.D. 1 S.D. 1 because the Governor's Message, a procedural mechanism, was wrong and needed to be corrected.
18. On April 12, 2022, Luke voted to pass H.B. No. 2392 H.D. 1 S.D. 1. The House passed H.B. No. 2392 H.D. 1 S.D. 1.
OVERT ACTS RELATING TO SOLIDUM AND YAMANE
1. As of February 2020, Ryan Yamane ("Yamane") was an elected Representative in the Hawai'i State Legislature. On February 18, 2020, Solidum and Yamane had the following text exchange:
Solidum: Hi Ryan let me know when you are done with Speaker Solidum: I have 1 more check and should have more tomorrow Yamane: I'm done
Yamane: I cashed yours this morning so I have $2000 Solidum: Ok I'11 be there in 20 mins
Yamane: In Henry's. Being stopped on bills so eating there Solidum: Have a 2 p.m. meeting
Solidum: What time are you leaving Yamane: 2:15
Yamane: Unless you like do tomorrow morning but no time go bank
Solidum: have 1500 and wanted to pick up another lk here. Mel will leave cash in Manila for you
Yamane: Cool
Solidum: Hi Ryan I'll meet you by your car at 215
Yamane: Ok. Gotta go vote at 2. Last minute JUD. So might be 2:20
Solidum: Ok
Solidum: I'm parked in spaces by exit near turnaround
Yamane: Ok will drive there
2. On February 18, 2020, Solidum met Yamane at the Capitol and gave Yamane a check and cash. Solidum also arranged for cash to be available for Yamane to pick up in another location.
3. On February 19, 2020, Solidum texted Yamane, "Hi Ryan I'll drop something to you before you leave the Capitol[.]"
4. On February 19, 2020, Solidum went to the Capitol and, at Yamane's direction, gave Yamane's secretary money to give to Yamane.
5. On March 25, 2021, Solidum texted Yamane, "Aldo [sic] need to give you something."
6. On April 15, 2021, Solidum texted Yamane, "Also need to give you something," "let's chat tonight and I'll drop something off to you tomorrow," and "[a]nd I'll drop something in the afternoon to you[.]"
7. On April 17, 2021, Solidum texted Yamane, "Ryan can I drop something off to u [sic] today[?]"
8. On April 18, 2021, Solidum and Yamane met and Solidum gave Yamane money.
9. During the 2021 Legislative Session, Yamane introduced H.B. No. 224. On April 27, 2021, Solidum and Yamane had the following text exchange:
Solidum: Just checking on any developments for 224 Going get recommit by leadership
Yamane: Per them it's dead
Solidum: Got it thanks Ryan
Yamane: Let you know when it happens. Sorry couldn't deliver it
Yamane: To pass
Solidum: As long as it's dead we are ok
Solidum: Thanks for all your efforts
Yamane: It's dead
Solidum: Thanks Ryan
10. On May 20, 2021, Solidum texted Yamane, "I need to meet you and drop something off."
11. On or about May 20, 2021, Solidum and Yamane met, and Solidum gave Yamane money.
12. On May 21, 2021, Yamane caused $1,500 in cash to be deposited into his Hawai'i State Federal Credit Union account.
13. On June 28, 2021, Solidum texted Yamane, "I need to meet you and drop something off[.]"
14. On June 30, 2021, Solidum and Yamane had the following text exchange:
Yamane: Where do you want to meet after my meeting?
Solidum: I have a lunch meeting near ala Moana ... will let uou [sic] know shortly
Solidum: Hi Ryan still at bank will be there shortly
Yamane: I'm here
Solidum: Ok order some things for us
15. On or about June 30, 2021, Solidum went to the bank, Solidum and Yamane met, and Solidum gave Yamane money.
16. On July 7, 2021, Solidum and Yamane had the following text exchange:
Yamane: Great news! I used my Laie connections and got tickets for the deputy counsel [sic] general. Their [sic] trying to get me the night tickets. Boy this was a pain to swing.
Solidum: Good job... let's meet on Friday so I can give you something
17. On or about July 9, 2021, Solidum and Yamane met and Solidum gave Yamane money.
18. On July 20, 2021, Yamane caused $2,000 in cash to be deposited into his Hawai'i State Federal Credit Union account.
19. On August 16, 2021, Yamane texted Solidum about a small private event. Solidum and Yamane then had the following text exchange:
Solidum: Ryan I don't know if I can make it but let me please help cover it
Yamane: ...Nah no need, but up to you. If you like I'll let her know you help sponsor
Solidum: I'll give it to you as usual
20. On or about August 16, 2021, Solidum agreed to give money to Yamane to pay for an event that Yamane hosted.
21. On November 17, 2021, Solidum texted Yamane in an effort to get a rival COVID testing company fined. Yamane furthered that effort by sending information that Solidum provided about the rival COVID testing company to DOH.
22. On January 17, 2022, Solidum and Yamane met to discuss funding for DOH.
23. On January 17, 2022, Yamane texted Ichiyama about DOH potentially running out of money for COVID testing and asked Ichiyama if that was true. Ichiyama said that she could ask Ross and asked Yamane who told him. Yamane texted, "Can't say but Ross Would know[.]" Ichiyama asked if Yamane wanted to ask Ross or if she should ask Ross. Yamane texted, "You should since your [sic] chair. But would like to know if true and what plan is." At the time, Ichiyama was the Chair of the House Committee on Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness.
24. On January 19, 2022, Yamane texted Solidum and said, "Following up. Any bills you need, also when you like meet before Friday? Also any updates regarding testing [ ... ]" Solidum responded and said, "Leg still the same. Thanks for following up. I'll let you know tomorrow after I meet Sylvia[.] Also let's meet Friday[.]"
25. On January 25, 2022, Yamane attended a meeting with government officials to discuss emergency appropriations to DOH and DOH' s ability to pay for COVID testing.
26. On January 25, 2022, Solidum and Yamane met to discuss an emergency appropriation to DOH.
27. On January 26, 2022, Yamane introduced H.B. No. 2392 in the State of Hawai'i Legislature.
28. On January 29, 2022, Solidum texted Yamane to set up a meeting with Solidum, Yamane, and Ford Fuchigami ("Fuchigami") to discuss an emergency appropriation to DOH. On or about January 19, 2022, Fuchigami had been hired by the Hawai'i State Senate Committee on Ways and Means.
29. On January 31, 2022, Ichiyama asked Yamane if H.B. No. 2392 was the emergency appropriation bill that he worked on for COVID and Yamane confirmed that it was.
30. On February 1, 2022, Solidum texted Yamane and arranged a meeting with Solidum, Yamane, and Fuchigami on February 2, 2022 to discuss the emergency appropriation to DOH.
31. On February 2, 2022, Solidum, Yamane, and Fuchigami met to discuss the emergency appropriation to DOH.
32. On February 3, 2022, at Yamane's request, the House Committee Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness, chaired by Ichiyama, heard H.B. No. 2392. The committee amended H.B. No. 2392 to be an emergency appropriation for "coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic mitigation, including vaccinations, distribution of supplies, testing, monitoring, reporting, and related staffing." The amended bill became H.B. No. 2392 H.D. 1. The House Committee on Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness voted to pass H.B. No. 2392 H.D. 1.
33. On February 8, 2022, Solidum and Yamane texted back and forth about Cullen and Kalani English being charged with federal crimes. Yamane texted Solidum, "Might not be good to been [sic] seen with me" and Solidum texted, "Ok[.]"
34. On February 14, 2022, Yamane caused $1,000 in cash to be deposited into a Hawai 'i State Federal Credit Union account that Yamane controlled.
35. On February 15, 2022, the House Committee on Health, Human Services, & Homelessness, chaired by Yamane, heard H.B. No. 2392 H.D. 1. Yamane voted to pass H.B. No. 2392 H.D. 1 without amendment. The House Committee on Health, Human Services, & Homelessness passed H.B. No. 2392 H.D. l without amendment.
36. On February 17, 2022, Yamane signed Standing Committee Report No. 533-22 regarding H.B. No. 2392 H.D. 1….
37. On April 12, 2022, the House of Representatives conducted the final reading of H.B. No. 2392 H.D. 1 S.D. 1. During the final reading, Yamane spoke in favor of the bill …
38. On April 12, 2022, Yamane voted to pass H.B. No. 2392 H.D. 1 S.D. 1. The House passed H.B. No. 2392 H.D. 1 S.D. 1.
OVERT ACTS RELATING TO SOLIDUM AND FUCHIGAMI
1. On or about January 30, 2022, Solidum wrote a $7,000 check to Fuchigami. The check was issued from a Central Pacific Bank account belonging to Geopolicy Development Group, LLC, a company Solidum controlled. At that time, Fuchigami was employed by the Hawai 'i State Senate Committee on Ways and Means.
2. On January 31, 2022, Fuchigami deposited the $7,000 check from Solidum into Fuchigami's American Savings Bank account.
3. On February 2, 2022, Solidum, Yamane, and Fuchigami met to discuss the emergency appropriation to DOH....
read … Indictment
COVERAGE:
HNN: Luke among 5 indicted by grand jury following massive bribery probe | Hawaii News Now
CB: Bribery Charges: Sylvia Luke, Ex-State Rep And Others Indicted In Corruption Case - Honolulu Civil Beat -- Eye witnesses identified Fuchigami and Solidum as regular attendees of clandestine fundraising parties over the years that brought together state officials, including those at the airports, with contractors seeking to do business with the state. Businessman Milton Choy, his family members, and Solidum contributed more than $34,000 around the time of those events, according to data compiled by the New York Times and Civil Beat in 2024 for an investigation of airport contractors. In 2015, Luke was among the politicians who benefitted from such gatherings. Kristen Pae, who donated $5,000 to Sylvia Luke in 2022, appeared before a grand jury on Friday with defense attorney Tommy Otake.
CB: Pay To Play: Political Corruption Investigations In Hawaiʻi Over The Years - Honolulu Civil Beat
KHON: After the Indictment: Questions, Reforms, What's Ahead
KITV: Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke named in sweeping political bribery indictments | News | kitv.com
SA: Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, 4 others indicted in state’s political corruption probe | Honolulu Star-Advertiser “The Lieutenant Governor needs to consider formally resigning to address this matter and so that the state of Hawaii can move forward.” -- Green
NYT: Hawaii Lt. Gov. Is Indicted in Corruption Investigation - The New York Times
HPR: Luke indicted for bribery