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The Maui News
WAILUKU -- Bail was reduced to $10,000 for a Hana man who is facing charges alleging he forged checks to steal nearly $50,000 from his grandparents.
Joshua Kamai, 29, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree theft, 17 counts of second-degree forgery and second-degree theft.
The forgeries and theft occurred from April to September last year, according to the complaint against Kamai. He also is charged with theft of cash, food and cigarettes valued at more than $750 from Hana Ranch Store on Sept. 12.
Kamai, who was arrested last week, appeared by videoconference from the Maui Community Correctional Center for his bail hearing Tuesday in 2nd Circuit Court.
Deputy Public Defender Zach Raidmae sought the reduction in bail from $20,000 for Kamai, saying he has a limited criminal history. In two pending cases, he is charged with violating an order for protection obtained by his grandparents.
The prosecution opposed the reduction in bail for Kamai.
He is charged with stealing nearly $50,000 from his grandparents through 22 checks forged in his name over a six-month period, said Deputy Prosecutor Elizabeth Nardi. She said the theft was discovered when his grandmother went to the bank and "found her account was completely drained."
Although not violent, his crimes are "extremely egregious," Nardi said.
In reducing bail to $10,000, Judge Peter Cahill ordered Kamai to have no contact with his grandparents and to stay away from their residence. Kamai also was ordered to report for supervision if he is released on bail.