I have a story posted on Civil Beat today tracing the early career of Honolulu businessman Mike Miske, who federal prosecutors allege is the leader of a “criminal enterprise” that uses a network of companies to both hide and promote extensive and often violent crimes.
“From Early On, Miske Was On The Path To A Life Of Crime.”
It’s the result of digging through available public records and piecing together a timeline of Miske’s early doings.
It’s long. Just shy of 3,000 words, if you’re into word counts. It may seem repetitive, since even as a young man Miske was already a repeat offender. After a while, I could feel a rhythm, with the charges piling up, and as one police investigation moved to court, the young Miske was already moving on to the next offense.
Illustrations by John Pritchett add some color.
I think you’ll find it a good read. Check it out.
Federal prosecutors allege that while the exact origin of Miske’s racketeering conspiracy is unknown, it was already up and running as a criminal gang “by at least in or about the late 1990s.”
A review of court records, newspaper archives, and other available public documents from that period confirms that by the time Mike Miske was 21 years old, he was a felon, a multiple offender, and well on his way to a criminal career.
This is, of course, not the end of the story. It is just the beginning. But it is undoubtedly a disturbing and potentially revealing first chapter.
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China town still rules the Islands via criminal insiders and outsiders. Nothing new, historically interesting to see which current Chinese Family Society holds sway.
It appears it’s not the Wealthy Doo’s or Mau’s, but the LAU Family!
Ian, It was lovely to read this article on the civil beat. You might not remember me, my name is Ellen Pelissero and we were both legislative aides at the Honolulu city Council in the 1980s. I have long admired your work and was pleased to learn that you’re still at it. This is an excellent piece. I am retired and living on the mainland now but I subscribe to the civil bit because I get back usually every couple of years and I want to keep up on what’s going on. Once again a fabulous job, Ian.
Good to read your work again. Ellen
It just occurred to me that if Jonathan Fraser had not disappeared, Miske might never have cropped up on the Feds’ radar, and Miske would still be in business doing whatever he does. In fact, even with Fraser’s disappearance, Miske might never have been in the spotlight if he had not put up those lights on the trees on the beach. And even if he had, he might not have gotten that much attention without Ian Lind writing about it.
Ian,
Great report on Honolulu’s organized crime kingpin.
One actor in Miske’s criminal career is his court appointed attorney, Reinhard Mohr. How did he get Miske off time and time again? You report he had to ultimately resign his law license. Where is he now?
He died on 27 January 2005 (Honolulu Advertiser obituary on 2 February 2005) at the age of 62. He graduated with the first class at the UH Law School and had an interesting career as a social activist. This would seem to deepen the mystery of why he became such a successful advocate for Miske unless he somehow perceived him to be the subject of societal oppression.
Mamas, don’t let your babies grow up to be Termites.
I WONDER if Michael Miske would have avoided a dangerous and reckless life of crime if our state/country had a better “safety net” of sorts for young boys like him that lost a father and saw a drop in family income?
Your article mentioned that Miske stopped attending school for the most part. Too bad our large public school system doesn’t afford more funding and resources for at-risk youth and alternative educational settings. Growing up Miske would have been a good candidate for activities that only wealthy suburban kids can afford and have access to–summer camps, year around sports, support networks, vocational skill building.