KEAAU, Hawaii — Hawaii Island police said in a news release they are investigating allegations that a former employee of Kamehameha Schools embezzled more than $360,000 over a three-year period. 

The alleged theft occurred at the Kamehameha Schools Hawaii Campus in Keaau. 

On Thursday, Area I Criminal Investigation Division personnel met with Kamehameha Schools administrators regarding the allegations. 

Detectives are now reviewing materials provided by Kamehameha Schools, identifying witnesses, and drafting search warrants for various institutions. 

In a letter sent to parents Thursday, Po‘o Kula (head of school) M. Kāhealani Nae‘ole-Wong wrote that the school had filed a police report after conducting an internal investigation led by the schools’ Legal Group. 

“This individual’s conduct is shameful, inexcusable and a betrayal. This was someone known to us, whom we education and entrusted to serve alongside us. We are providing our findings to the Hawai‘i Police Department, cooperating fully with them, and will be supporting appropriate criminal consequences and legal action to completely recover the amounts this individual has taken from us,” Nae‘ole-Wong wrote.

The letter also stated that she, along with the CEO and executive team, are working “to scrutinize our systems, practices and policies so that we can shore them up and ensure that this will never occur again.”

Hawaii Island police have made no arrests and are not identifying a suspect. 

People with information about this investigation may call Detective Paul Mangus with the Area I Criminal Investigation Section, at 808-961-2383, or via email at paul.mangus@hawaiicounty.gov.