Hanamaulu Resident Sentenced to 10 Years for 2011 Kauai Crime Spree

LĪHU‘E — A judge sentenced Pohaku Matsuura, 35, of Hanamā‘ulu, to 10 years in prison on December 14, 2025 for crimes tied to a crime spree that unfolded between July and September 2011. Prosecutors said the defendant broke into an unattended vehicle, a preschool, and rooms at several hotels before using stolen checks and credit cards to make unauthorized purchases. The sentence follows the presentation of evidence in court detailing the thefts and related fraudulent transactions.

Matsuura was arrested in September 2011 and was held on a $250,000 bail at the time of his arrest. The state was represented by Second Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Rebecca Vogt. Matsuura was represented by Deputy Public Defender Stephanie Sato. Courtroom proceedings included testimony and exhibits from prosecutors about the pattern of property crimes and the downstream effects on victims and the broader community.

Prosecutors outlined in court how the break ins and financial fraud disrupted local residents and businesses, including a preschool that experienced unauthorized entry. The office emphasized the emotional and economic toll on victims who faced theft of personal property and misuse of financial instruments. The sentencing aims to hold the defendant accountable while acknowledging the harm caused to families, local employers and visitors to the island.

For Kauai County residents the case serves as a reminder of persistent vulnerabilities to property crime and financial fraud. Vehicle owners are reminded to secure belongings and personal information. Businesses and childcare providers may reevaluate security protocols for facilities and guest rooms. The long interval between the 2011 offenses and the 2025 sentence underscores the extended path many criminal cases take from arrest to final disposition, and the delayed closure that victims may experience.

The prosecutor and defense counsel presented their respective positions during the sentencing hearing. The court imposed a custodial sentence intended to reflect the seriousness of the offenses and the impact on community safety. Local law enforcement and social services that assist victims may use the case as part of ongoing efforts to improve prevention and support for those affected by property crime and fraud.