A 32-year-old Big Island man has been indicted for allegedly stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from Kamehameha Schools Hawaii.
According to the two-count indictment returned Thursday by a grand jury, Zachary Heltz is charged with first-degree theft and first-degree computer fraud. The document states the offenses occurred between Dec. 8, 2020, and June 2, 2023.
Heltz allegedly used a computer to make payments “using Kamehameha Schools Hawaii purchasing cards to entities under his control via online payment system PayPal,” which resulted in the loss of more than $20,000 — the threshold for first-degree theft — by Kamehameha Schools Hawaii.
The bench warrant issued with the indictment set Heltz’s bail at $500,000 and ordered him to have no contact with 17 individuals. They include KSH High School Vice Principal Phil Aganus, Head of Student Health and Well-Being Lehua Vincent, Operations Consultant Morton “Morty” Carter, Director of Operations Support Sam Thomas and Athletic Director Kimo Weaver.
Heltz had not been arrested or given a court date as of Monday afternoon.
KSH filed a report with the Hawaii Police Department on Nov. 16, 2023, alleging a former employee stole more than $360,000 from the Keaau campus.
A Kamehameha Schools spokesperson said in a statement Monday school officials are “aware of the indictment of Zachary Heltz, a former employee, in connection with the alleged theft of school funds” and are “grateful to the Office of the Attorney General for their work in this matter and for helping to advance accountability.”
“We filed a police report after an internal investigation uncovered the alleged misconduct,” the spokesperson said. “His actions were an egregious betrayal of the trust placed in him and a breach of our commitment to our haumana and Ke Ali‘i Pauahi’s legacy. We are deeply disappointed in his behavior, which violated the standards and values we expect and that our dedicated staff and kumu uphold every day.
“Every resource entrusted to us is meant to uplift Native Hawaiian learners. We have taken this incident seriously and, with guidance and validation from experts, have strengthened our practices and systems in these crucial areas and will continue to review them regularly.
“We are fully cooperating with the Office of the Attorney General in its prosecution of Zachary Heltz to the greatest extent possible, and remain committed to retrieve the funds taken from our trust.”
The trust, established by the will of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, is worth an estimated $15 billion.
Email John Burnett at john.burnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
