Former bank teller on Hawaii island indicted for theft, fraud

COURTESY PHOTO

Alohi Kaupu-Grace

A Hawaii County grand jury has indicted a 24-year-old former Bank of Hawaii teller for allegedly embezzling more than $40,000 from bank customers, including two senior citizens.

Alohi Kaupu-Grace, who was indicted Dec. 1, is charged with three counts each of first-degree computer fraud and first-degree theft, and two counts each of second-degree computer fraud and second-degree theft.

She is accused of having used Bank of Hawaii computers to embezzle the funds and to falsify records relating to the alleged thefts.

“As alleged, Kaupu-Grace stole money from residents who were simply trying to conduct financial transactions at their bank,” Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez, whose department is prosecuting the case, said in a statement. “This indictment reflects the department’s continued commitment to protecting Hawaii residents and maintaining the integrity of our financial institutions.”

First-degree computer fraud is a Class A felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $50,000 fine. First-degree theft and second-degree computer fraud are Class B felonies punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. And second-degree theft is a Class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Kaupu-Grace was arrested Thursday afternoon on the charges. Bail was set at $25,000.

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The alleged offenses occurred between Feb. 8 and March 14, 2024, according to the indictment.

Kaupu-Grace is also pending trial after pleading not guilty in two other theft-related felony cases, with hearings in both cases scheduled for Wednesday before Hilo Circuit Judge Peter Kubota.

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