Possible Plea Agreement in Theft Case Involving Kamehameha Schools Hawaii

In Hilo, negotiations are ongoing for a plea deal for Zachary Heltz, a 32-year-old man from Honolulu, who faces allegations of embezzling close to $360,000 from Kamehameha Schools Hawaii while working at the Keaau campus. Heltz’s defense attorney, Lani Nakamura, informed Hilo Circuit Judge Henry Nakamoto that they have received an offer from Deputy Attorney General Thomas Michener and have discussed it with their client.

Heltz pleaded not guilty on April 23 to charges including first-degree theft and first-degree computer fraud, linked to actions that reportedly took place between December 8, 2020, and June 2, 2023. During this period, he allegedly executed over 560 unauthorized transactions at the expense of Kamehameha Schools. Heltz, who remains free on a $50,000 bail bond, is scheduled for a hearing on November 17 and has been making regular restitution payments to the educational trust.