NEWS RELEASE – DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SECURES GRAND JURY INDICTMENT AGAINST THEFT AND FORGERY RING
Posted on Feb 27, 2026 in Latest Department News, NewsroomSTATE OF HAWAIʻI
KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI
JOSH GREEN, M.D.
GOVERNOR
KE KIAʻĀINA
DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
KA ʻOIHANA O KA LOIO KUHINA
ANNE LOPEZ
ATTORNEY GENERAL
DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SECURES GRAND JURY INDICTMENT AGAINST THEFT AND FORGERY RING
News Release 2026-10
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 27, 2026
HONOLULU – Kristen Keiki O Akua Krael was arrested today following her indictment by an Oʻahu Grand Jury on multiple felony charges, including computer fraud, theft, forgery and fraudulent use of a credit card.
On February 24, 2026, the grand jury indicted Krael on three counts of Computer Fraud in the First Degree, three counts of Theft in the First Degree, one count of Theft in the Second Degree, 15 counts of Forgery in the Second Degree, and three counts of Fraudulent Use of Credit Card.
The Grand Jury also indicted:
- Aaron Jeff Kau for four counts of Forgery in the Second Degree and two counts of Theft in the Second Degree;
- Jaron Tsutomu Gar Wo Hung for three counts of Forgery in the Second Degree and two counts of Theft in the Second Degree; and
- Jessica Rosemary Rothstein for one count of Forgery in the Second Degree and one count of Theft in the Second Degree.
The indictment alleges that Krael, while employed as an accountant for three local businesses, used the companies’ financial information without authorization to forge checks and transfer funds from company credit cards to herself via online financial tools. She is further alleged to have provided forged checks to Aaron Kau, Jaron Hung, Jessica Rothstein and others to cash, resulting in losses to the three businesses exceeding $200,000.
Computer Fraud in the First Degree is a class A felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine not exceeding $50,000. Theft in the First Degree is a class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a $25,000 fine. Theft in the Second Degree, Forgery in the Second Degree, and Fraudulent Use of Credit Card are class C felonies punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.
Attorney General Anne Lopez stated, “When someone entrusted with access to sensitive financial information exploits that access for personal gain, it harms businesses, employees and our broader community. We will continue working closely with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute complex financial crimes.”
The investigation was conducted by the Department of the Attorney General’s Investigations Division and the Honolulu Police Department. U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations, the Diplomatic Security Service and U.S. Customs and Border Protection assisted in Krael’s arrest.
The case, State v. Kristen Keiki O Akua Krael, Aaron Jeff Kau, Jaron Tsutomu Gar Wo Hung, and Jessica Rosemary Rothstein, 1CPC-26-0000261 is being prosecuted by the Criminal Justice Division of the Department of the Attorney General.
Criminal charges are only allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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