Disgraced former Honolulu police chief Louis Kealoha will get a few more months of freedom so he can be vaccinated before he kicks off a seven-year prison sentence, the Associated Press reports.

Kealoha, who was convicted of federal conspiracy and obstruction of justice charges, was supposed to report to an Oregon prison in April. But the 60-year-old isn’t yet eligible for the vaccine in Hawaii, which is currently inoculating people 65 and older.

On Tuesday, a federal judge granted Kealoha permission to start his sentence on June 1, according to the AP.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Janaki Chopra told U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright that the extension was unnecessary because the Federal Bureau of Prisons is vaccinating prisoners at the Oregon prison. But Seabright said “a modest extension is called for,” the AP reported.

Kealoha and his estranged wife, former Honolulu prosecutor Katherine Kealoha, were found guilty of framing her uncle for a crime he did not commit – a conspiracy that was carried out with the help of other Honolulu police officers. Two former officers who assisted in the crime will also report to prison on June 1.

Katherine Kealoha is currently incarcerated at the Honolulu Federal Detention Center where she is serving a 13-year sentence.

Help power our public service journalism

As a local newsroom, Civil Beat has a unique public service role in times of crisis.

That’s why we’re committed to a paywall-free website and subscription-free content, so we can get vital information out to everyone, from all communities.

We are deploying a significant amount of our resources to covering the Maui fires, and your support ensures that we can pivot when these types of emergencies arise.

Make a gift to Civil Beat today and help power our nonprofit newsroom.

About the Author