On February 14, 2025, Moanaoio Bjur was indicted by the O‘ahu Grand Jury on charges including Computer Fraud in the First Degree, Theft in the First Degree, Computer Fraud in the Second Degree, and Theft in the Second Degree. The former executive director of the nonprofit Conservation Council for Hawai‘i was arrested over the weekend.
Bjur is accused of issuing approximately 24 unauthorized payroll payments to herself through QuickBooks and making three unauthorized withdrawals from a PayPal account, totaling just over $81,000 during her tenure at the Conservation Council for Hawai‘i.
Attorney General Anne Lopez commented on the case: “Nonprofit organizations serve important charitable roles within Hawai‘i, and in exchange, they receive special tax exemptions. My department is dedicated to investigating and prosecuting those who exploit their positions within nonprofit organizations to steal funds intended for the public good within our communities.”
The charges against Bjur carry significant penalties. Computer Fraud in the First Degree is a class A felony with potential penalties of up to 20 years in prison and a $50,000 fine. Theft in the First Degree and Computer Fraud in the Second Degree are class B felonies punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and a $20,000 fine each. Theft in the Second Degree is classified as a class C felony with possible penalties of up to five years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine.
The investigation was led by Hawaii’s Department of Attorney General’s Special Investigation and Prosecution Division (SIPD), which focuses on corruption, fraud, and economic crimes. The case against Bjur will be prosecuted by SIPD Deputy Attorney General Thomas Michener under case number State v. Moanaoio Bjur, 1CPC-25-0000178.
It is important to note that Bjur remains presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
