When the news broke in mid-July that an FBI raid had resulted in the arrest of Kamaaina Termite owner Mike Miske, it seemed like the reporting and writing I had been doing for the past couple of years suddenly came into focus.
I had never heard of Mike Miske before I fielded a call in late 2017 from an east Honolulu community activist who wanted me to know about a controversy brewing over strands of lights that had been strung on a tree in a small public park along the ocean in Hawaii Kai. Apparently a number of neighborhood leaders felt the city council had bypassed the community and the accepted process for dealing with controversial local issues when it gave approval for a private individual to install the lights. So I began a few obligatory calls looking for background information, thinking I could easily wrap up a short blog post about the issue, and quickly ran into Miske’s reputation for violence. Without exception, the people I checked-in with, all with pretty deep community connections, were guarded, spoke in hushed tones as if looking over their shoulders, reported that other people were scared of him, cautioned about political connections, and were generally quite generous in sharing warnings to “be careful.”
Just the sort of reaction that instantly grabs an investigative reporter’s interest.
That first story appeared in Civil Beat in late November 2017.
That was just the beginning. By the time of Miske’s arrest and federal allegations that he controlled and directed a major racketeering conspiracy which hid behind and utilized his businesses as part of a large criminal enterprise, I had reported on the clout he displayed in getting his way with the city by powering past objections of the Parks Department and his apparent special relationship with the office Honolulu’s city prosecutor and the Honolulu Police Department.
I looked back this morning and found I’ve written 38 blog posts about different aspects of the Miske case since the federal indictment was unsealed in July 2020.
For those who are interested, here’s what I’ve written since then, in chronological order.
At the top of the list is a post recognizing the third anniversary of the sudden disappearance of Jonathan Fraser. The federal indictment alleges he was the victim of a murder-for-hire scheme directed and funded by Miske.
July 29, 2019 Remember Jonathan Fraser
July 15, 2020 Former nightclub owner arrested in early morning FBI raid
July 16, 2020 Here we go again
July 16, 2020 The Miske Enterprise: A summary of the charges
July 17, 2020 Weighing the apparent evidence against the Miske Enterprise
July 18, 2020 Alleged gang leader tried to hide ownership of legitimate businesses to hamper federal probe
July 20, 2020 “Racketeering Conspiracy” charge makes legal defense more difficult for defendants in Miske Enterprise case
July 23, 2020 Prosecutors allege the Miske Enterprise relied on a series of businesses
July 28, 2020 Two Miske defendants say they qualify for release from federal detention pending trial
August 2, 2020 Miske defendant seeking release from federal detention also faces felony assault charges in state court
August 4, 2020 Miske’s club didn’t rank among the most popular venues for campaign fundraisers
August 9, 2020 Defense lawyers seek Mike Miske’s release to house arrest
August 10, 2020 Just a quick follow-up on those character references
August 14, 2020 Alleged gang leader’s termite treatment company still advertising
August 16, 2020 Miske got an early start on a criminal career
August 19, 2020 More charges could be added in Miske prosecution
August 26, 2020, More of Mike Miske’s family history
August 27, 2020 Miske’s termite licenses expired, companies out of business
August 30, 2020 Alleged gang kingpin contributed $2,500 to Ernie Martin’s unsuccessful 2018 congressional campaign
August 31, 2020 Another clothing entrepreneur among the Miske defendants
September 1, 2020 1966: The Miske brothers and the Kennedy family
September 2, 2020 Miske in perspective
September 9, 2020 Read the lawsuit seeking disclosure of court files about Mike Miske’s boat, “Painkiller”
September 12, 2020 Details of Miske drug ring emerging in other cases
September 13, 2020 The process of putting the pieces together
September 23, 2020Miske sought cocaine supply deal with Mexican source, prosecutors say
Septemer 24, 2020 A third Miske-case defendant to be released on bail
September 30, 2020 Miske companies included a motor vehicle dealer
October 10, 2020 Buntenbah released from detention
October 25, 2020 Judge’s order favors disclosure of documents in Miske-related case
Nov 4, 2020 Motive for shot fired at Miske’s brother in 2013 remains unknown
November 4, 2020 Another thing reporters have to deal with
November 7, 2020 Disclosure of records concerning boat allegedly used in Jonathan Fraser murder moves forward
Nov 21, 2020 Miske insider flips, pleads guilty and agrees to testify
November 27, 2020 Key document missing from records unsealed in “Painkiller” lawsuit
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How about another one after K. K. Is sentenced tomorrow?
Important and well done.