A former Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi staffer is at the center of a high-dollar theft case that has rocked the Big Island campus. Zachary Heltz, 32, has been indicted by a grand jury on first-degree theft and first-degree computer-fraud charges tied to what prosecutors describe as an elaborate school purchasing card scheme. A judge issued a bench warrant, set bail at $500,000, and, as of the latest reports, Heltz remained at large with no court date on the calendar.
According to Hawaii News Now, the indictment alleges that from December 2020 through June 2023, Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi purchasing cards were used to send payments to PayPal accounts tied to businesses and individuals under Heltz’s control. Authorities told reporters that documented transactions show losses topping $20,000, while an earlier internal school review suggested the total exposure could exceed $360,000. The outlet also reported that Heltz has been ordered to avoid contact with several people connected to the school.
Kamehameha Schools initially reported the suspected theft to police on Nov. 16, 2023, following an internal review at its Keaʻau campus, the Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported. That coverage noted that school leaders had already brought in outside attorneys and experts to scrutinize financial controls. The Tribune-Herald later reported that Hawaii Police turned the investigation over to the state Department of the Attorney General for potential prosecution.
What prosecutors allege
The grand jury indictment accuses Heltz of using a computer system to funnel school funds through PayPal and related entities allegedly linked to him. First-degree theft in Hawaii is a Class B felony that can carry up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Local officials say the bench warrant remains active as law enforcement works to track Heltz down and bring him into custody.
School response and next steps
In a statement to Hawaii News Now, Kamehameha Schools said it is fully cooperating with the Office of the Attorney General and has tightened purchasing procedures and oversight following its internal probe. School leaders stressed that every dollar entrusted to the institution is intended to uplift Native Hawaiian learners and said they are committed to recovering any funds taken from the trust. The Attorney General’s office will handle the prosecution if Heltz is arrested, and officials are urging anyone with information on his whereabouts or the case to contact local police.
