32 year-old William Kaipo, Jr. of Hilo, who was charged for incidents involving the production and passing of counterfeit U.S. currency at several East Hawai‘i businesses, was originally charged by way of complaint. That case was dismissed without prejudice before Prosecutors added an additional charge and sought the issuance of a $200,000.00 warrant via the felony information which committed the case to circuit court.

On Friday, Kaipo was arrested by Sheriff deputies on the $200,000 warrant. He made his initial appearance in Hilo Circuit Court where over Prosecutors’ objections, the Circuit Court judge granted him supervised release and set a trial date for October 14, 2024.

As the Information alleges, Kaipo is charged with five counts of Forgery in the First Degree and a single count of Theft in the Fourth Degree. Forgery in the First Degree is a class B felony offense which carries a penalty of either a ten-year prison term or four years probation and up eighteen months in jail. Prosecutors have provided notice that if convicted as charged, Kaipo is subject a mandatory prison term and will not be eligible for probation.

The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Hashizaki.

HPD Photo