Maui police intel commander accused of taking bribes to shield cockfights and drugs
The FBI arrested Maui Police Department Lt. Michael Vaituulala, commander of the Criminal Intelligence Unit that reported directly to Chief John Pelletier, on Aug. 4, 2026. Federal prosecutors allege he took money to set up cockfighting operations and conceal sales of cocaine, methamphetamine and illegal aerial fireworks, and on Oct. 7 charged him with conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, alleging he worked for organized crime on Maui since at least 2019. MPD dissolved the unit. On Oct. 7 the Maui Police Commission voted 6-0 to put Pelletier on paid administrative leave pending an independent investigation of his oversight of the unit, saying the leave was not discipline or a finding of wrongdoing. Pelletier, through attorney Eric Seitz, has fought the leave. The criminal case and the commission's investigation are pending.
SHOPO will be guided by facts and not gossip.
Placing the chief on administrative leave is not a disciplinary action or a determination of wrongdoing.
Not yet contacted for this story.
Not yet contacted for this story.
After the arrest, promised a "zero tolerance, total accountability approach" and an internal and external review.
No outcome recorded yet.