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The Mailbox Conspiracy: The Inside Story of the Greatest Corruption Case in Hawai‘i History
When Honolulu police chief Louis Kealoha and his wife, Katherine, the city's deputy prosecutor, reported their mailbox stolen to frame a family member, it was only the beginning of an elaborate conspiracy—and a corruption case that soon became the most notorious in Hawaii history. Riveting and meticulously told by the federal defender who learned the story from the inside, The Mailbox Conspiracy is a fascinating study in the corruption of power and the abuse of public office.
Author Alexander Silvert, a federal public defender, took on Kealoha family member Gerard Puana's felony theft case mostly out of curiosity: Why would someone steal a mailbox, especially one belonging to prominent law enforcement figures like the chief of police and a city prosecutor? And why was the United States Attorney's Office involved in such a low-level neighborhood theft case? Puana, his client, claimed not just innocence, but that he had been framed. As Silvert and his team began to peel away layer after layer of Puana's story, it became clear that the allegations and the evidence didn’t line up. Infamous for each new stranger-than-fiction revelation, the so-called "Kealoha mailbox trial" unearthed a chain of bumbling coverups, multiple instances of financial fraud stretching back a decade, and an alleged family drug trafficking enterprise—all served up with a generous helping of arrogance on the part of Louis and Katherine Kealoha.
A tenacious defense attorney with decades of experience, Silvert led the team of investigators who painstakingly unearthed evidence to prove Gerard Puana's innocence. Their seven-year effort turned the tables on the Kealohas, resulting in the couple's federal prosecution, and the ramifications—and legal wrangling—of the case continue today.
Author Alexander Silvert, a federal public defender, took on Kealoha family member Gerard Puana's felony theft case mostly out of curiosity: Why would someone steal a mailbox, especially one belonging to prominent law enforcement figures like the chief of police and a city prosecutor? And why was the United States Attorney's Office involved in such a low-level neighborhood theft case? Puana, his client, claimed not just innocence, but that he had been framed. As Silvert and his team began to peel away layer after layer of Puana's story, it became clear that the allegations and the evidence didn’t line up. Infamous for each new stranger-than-fiction revelation, the so-called "Kealoha mailbox trial" unearthed a chain of bumbling coverups, multiple instances of financial fraud stretching back a decade, and an alleged family drug trafficking enterprise—all served up with a generous helping of arrogance on the part of Louis and Katherine Kealoha.
A tenacious defense attorney with decades of experience, Silvert led the team of investigators who painstakingly unearthed evidence to prove Gerard Puana's innocence. Their seven-year effort turned the tables on the Kealohas, resulting in the couple's federal prosecution, and the ramifications—and legal wrangling—of the case continue today.
- GenresNonfictionTrue Crime
248 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2021
25 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 4, 2022
The details in the first half of the book were painful but set up the rest of the story and it became very clear why the details were important. Katherine was described as "a walking crime spree". She was brought down by a disabled uncle and 93 year old woman that she underestimated along with a federal defense lawyer that doggedly pursued the truth.
February 9, 2022
well written expose of on going corruption in Honolulu.
I seriously suggest every official and attorney in Hawaii read this page turner. It is a true story that reads like a Gresham novel.
I seriously suggest every official and attorney in Hawaii read this page turner. It is a true story that reads like a Gresham novel.
August 29, 2023
3.5 ⭐️’s. What a page turner! This was my first crime/expose category read and it was a riveting, albeit disheartening, story. The fact that it helped me understand the legal world even more and highlighted local issues was a cherry on top.
October 28, 2022
What's a page turner!
Interesting detail on the investigative and courtroom processes, and not boring whatsover. I must say I felt smart at moments when author Silvert said, "Why did....?" about things I had also wondered, as they seemed to poke holes in the story being told to destroy the client. Fascinating how the pieces of the story come together over time. Gave me a little more faith in our legal system.
I read half one day, finished the next. My Kindle went on the fritz and I actually read the second half on my cell. Determined to find out what happened to these disgusting people.
Interesting detail on the investigative and courtroom processes, and not boring whatsover. I must say I felt smart at moments when author Silvert said, "Why did....?" about things I had also wondered, as they seemed to poke holes in the story being told to destroy the client. Fascinating how the pieces of the story come together over time. Gave me a little more faith in our legal system.
I read half one day, finished the next. My Kindle went on the fritz and I actually read the second half on my cell. Determined to find out what happened to these disgusting people.
January 27, 2022
Must read for all to
Following this story from the beginning started around a mailbox? There had to be a book written for humour entertainment. The mailbox Conspiracy, inside story PERFECT!it so well done, details of legal system... It needs to be read by everyone including students. thank you Alexander silvert. Now will Hawaii make changes ?
Following this story from the beginning started around a mailbox? There had to be a book written for humour entertainment. The mailbox Conspiracy, inside story PERFECT!it so well done, details of legal system... It needs to be read by everyone including students. thank you Alexander silvert. Now will Hawaii make changes ?
March 1, 2022
Well-paced true-life crime story...I hope they make it into a movie. I wish it would allow the cleanup of many of Hawaii's other serious corruption problems, too.
July 29, 2022
Excellent book for baby public defenders.
March 25, 2022
Okay, hang on. The FACTS and EVIDENCE of this case are fascinating. Those are the parts of the book worth reading.
However, books like this are why you need an editor. There are a ton of errors (like the witness who took a polygraph test to state her car wasn’t used was referred to as ‘Ms.’ more than a dozen times until a ‘Mr.’ appeared from nowhere, plus other spelling/basic grammar issues, and selective use of diacritical marks), a HUGE amount of white-knighting by the author, conflicting statements about the generalized ways in which the justice system works/doesn’t work, poorly structured sentences, and so on.
It’s also super cringe when people who were not born and raised in Hawai‘i feel like living here for a certain number of years gives them the right to speak and write in local dialect, with the intended impact often falling very, very flat. Super flat. Also in poor taste to write about the end of Florence Puana’s life by putting in what Silvert asked to be read at her funeral, rather than what her own son and other family members opted to say. As much as this book should be about the criminal case and those involved, it’s often about how great Silvert thinks he is and needs the reader to know it too, over and over again.
This book needs to be picked up by a publishing company so it can be properly edited, get a cover design that isn’t atrocious, and reach wider audiences so people can understand how complacency among the masses paves the way for large-scale government corruption.
However, books like this are why you need an editor. There are a ton of errors (like the witness who took a polygraph test to state her car wasn’t used was referred to as ‘Ms.’ more than a dozen times until a ‘Mr.’ appeared from nowhere, plus other spelling/basic grammar issues, and selective use of diacritical marks), a HUGE amount of white-knighting by the author, conflicting statements about the generalized ways in which the justice system works/doesn’t work, poorly structured sentences, and so on.
It’s also super cringe when people who were not born and raised in Hawai‘i feel like living here for a certain number of years gives them the right to speak and write in local dialect, with the intended impact often falling very, very flat. Super flat. Also in poor taste to write about the end of Florence Puana’s life by putting in what Silvert asked to be read at her funeral, rather than what her own son and other family members opted to say. As much as this book should be about the criminal case and those involved, it’s often about how great Silvert thinks he is and needs the reader to know it too, over and over again.
This book needs to be picked up by a publishing company so it can be properly edited, get a cover design that isn’t atrocious, and reach wider audiences so people can understand how complacency among the masses paves the way for large-scale government corruption.
March 29, 2023
I read this book because 1 - my sister told me to and 2 - I either knew of or personally knew several characters - Chuck Totto was my boss at the City & County of Honolulu Ethics Commission (the one forced to resign for trying to investigate the corrupt Kealoha’s) and Ken Lawson who was my professor at UH law school & part of the Hawai’i Innocence Project (the one the Kealoha’s said to stop commenting on their case, in violation of his First Amendments rights, and if he didn’t the law should fire him, which the ACLU & law school said basically “nah, not happening”).
I of course knew about the scandal, but I didn’t know all the details, and it was honestly quite insane to read the depths of the corruption. After a while, I had to skip over a lot of the sections, where he talked about how important cross examine is, and gathering evidence and things like that, and I had to just read the portions that related to the case at hand, and not generally how cases are handled, but otherwise i read this in almost one sitting and I couldn’t put it down. But as we know, there is still more to come on these cases…
I of course knew about the scandal, but I didn’t know all the details, and it was honestly quite insane to read the depths of the corruption. After a while, I had to skip over a lot of the sections, where he talked about how important cross examine is, and gathering evidence and things like that, and I had to just read the portions that related to the case at hand, and not generally how cases are handled, but otherwise i read this in almost one sitting and I couldn’t put it down. But as we know, there is still more to come on these cases…
November 30, 2021
This is a terrific book and I highly recommend reading it. A true-crime story that is hard to believe!
It is a riveting mystery and would make a great limited series on one of the streaming services. The author - Alexander Silvert - was the Public Defender of the man accused of stealing a mailbox. He wondered "Why a mailbox of all things?" No one would believe that Honolulu's chief of police Louis Kealoha and his wife Kathleen Kealoha, the deputy prosecutor, could be involved in wrongdoing. In investigating the case to set up the defense, Alexander and his team discovered so many inconsistencies that made them pursue the truth even harder exposing corruption and the abuse of public office. He writes beautifully, and I found it fascinating as he lays out the case, how the legal system works (or doesn't), and how the accusation affected all parties involved. Definitely read this book! Right now, hard copies are stuck on a ship but you can get a Kindle edition. Hopefully, the hard copy book will be available soon.
It is a riveting mystery and would make a great limited series on one of the streaming services. The author - Alexander Silvert - was the Public Defender of the man accused of stealing a mailbox. He wondered "Why a mailbox of all things?" No one would believe that Honolulu's chief of police Louis Kealoha and his wife Kathleen Kealoha, the deputy prosecutor, could be involved in wrongdoing. In investigating the case to set up the defense, Alexander and his team discovered so many inconsistencies that made them pursue the truth even harder exposing corruption and the abuse of public office. He writes beautifully, and I found it fascinating as he lays out the case, how the legal system works (or doesn't), and how the accusation affected all parties involved. Definitely read this book! Right now, hard copies are stuck on a ship but you can get a Kindle edition. Hopefully, the hard copy book will be available soon.
June 2, 2023
A legal thriller reminiscent of Perry Mason, except that it’s true
This is a fascinating story of government corruption at the highest level—involving a police chief and his “Lady Macbeth” wife, a prosecutor. It’s a case of truth that beats most fiction. The author has done a great job outlining the investigation of a man who claims he’s being framed for a ridiculous felony—the stealing of a felony. Not even his own attorney believes him at first, but as more and more evidence is gathered, the truth emerges and criminal activity comes to light that makes the alleged crime look small in comparison. The book is well-written, fascinating. I couldn’t put it down.
This is a fascinating story of government corruption at the highest level—involving a police chief and his “Lady Macbeth” wife, a prosecutor. It’s a case of truth that beats most fiction. The author has done a great job outlining the investigation of a man who claims he’s being framed for a ridiculous felony—the stealing of a felony. Not even his own attorney believes him at first, but as more and more evidence is gathered, the truth emerges and criminal activity comes to light that makes the alleged crime look small in comparison. The book is well-written, fascinating. I couldn’t put it down.
June 3, 2023
This is a fascinating story of government corruption at the highest level--involving a police chief and his "Lady Macbeth" wife, a state prosecutor. It's a case of truth that beats most fiction. The author has done a great job outlining the investigation of a man who claims he's being framed for a ridiculous feloney--the stealing of a mailbox. Not even his own attorney believes him at first, but as more and more evidence is gathered, the truth emerges and criminal activity comes to light that makes the alleged crime look small in comparison. The book is well-written, fast-paced. I couldn't put it down.
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December 17, 2025I am from Oahu and remember this case when it hit the news. Here's the fascinating backstory behind it, from the public defender Alexander Silvert who first successfully defended Gerard Puana and then brought the case to the FBI to bring down Katherine and Louis Kealoha. They were a power couple in Hawaii politics; she was a high-ranking attorney, he the Chief of Police. It was wild reading the list of Katherine's crimes and abuse of power, in that she would try to frame her own family member just to avoid a civil suit against her and harness all the power of the HPD to do her dirty work. Great expose on dirty politics and corruption in Oahu.
June 20, 2022
Very interesting book. This is an inside look to the headlines I've seen in the news for years.
The book helped me to put things together, especially in a timeline. Very well written. The author didn't go off on tangents (and he could have). He didn't flatter himself (which he could have), he didn't to into dry details (which he could have). Instead, he wrote the book as an author, not as an attorney. He told a story which is exactly what I wanted to read.
The book helped me to put things together, especially in a timeline. Very well written. The author didn't go off on tangents (and he could have). He didn't flatter himself (which he could have), he didn't to into dry details (which he could have). Instead, he wrote the book as an author, not as an attorney. He told a story which is exactly what I wanted to read.
January 15, 2023
good story about bad people and a corrupt state government
If you’ve lived in Hawaii for even a short time, you’ve heard stories about the overt corruption in the halls of power. This book lays bare one story of this corruption but the failure of the HPD, the ethics commission and other “oversight” agencies to investigate and enact meaningful reform is an indication of how systemic the corruption is.
If you’ve lived in Hawaii for even a short time, you’ve heard stories about the overt corruption in the halls of power. This book lays bare one story of this corruption but the failure of the HPD, the ethics commission and other “oversight” agencies to investigate and enact meaningful reform is an indication of how systemic the corruption is.
September 15, 2023
Really interesting and well written account of a corrupt couple who lived in the highest political and social strata’s of Hawaii. If you’ve lived in Hawaii for any time at all you’ll recognize many of the names that come up in this story and will find this book really interesting. A well told account of how a “regular guy” was targeted and slandered by people he trusted and had helped. A quick and compelling read. I had trouble putting it down.
February 23, 2022
What a fascinating read! Unfortunately, this book is true crime even though it reads like a fictional thriller. This corruption case was covered heavily in the news, but this book brings many details to light, and Silvert's writing is fast paced and engaging. The fact that he is the public defender that started unraveling everything is such a unique perspective.
March 22, 2022
Well done!
Silvert expertly breaks down—step by step—a most complicated case of greed and corruption by people entrusted to protect and serve the people of Honolulu. He furthers that with a rolling wave of necessary incriminations.
Silvert expertly breaks down—step by step—a most complicated case of greed and corruption by people entrusted to protect and serve the people of Honolulu. He furthers that with a rolling wave of necessary incriminations.
July 15, 2022
Absolutely fascinating story of corruption in paradise. Riveting story brilliantly written by the lawyer who “broke the case wide open”. i hope this author branches into fiction because his writing was ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
February 7, 2023
As this story unfolded, here on Oahu, it was incredulous. The way Silvert details the process of uncovering inconsistencies of this case to reveal local corruption is a fascinating look at how the court system can work, no matter where you live.
February 14, 2023
We’ll done if not a bit repetitious. Started it on the way back from Honolulu, so the topic fit right in. I remember this in the news a couple years ago, but Silvert provides a clear account of the story from the public defender’s point of view.
March 28, 2023
As someone interested in crime and the inner workings, I found this to be quite interesting (although there was quite a lot of factual detail in the beginning that had to be read carefully.) Knowing this is a true capturing of the facts of the evolution of this conspiracy made it a fascinating read seemingly without the addition of artistic license. As Dragnet's Sergeant Friday used to say... "Just the facts ma'am."
July 20, 2022
I gulped down this book with an open mouth. Pardon my manners!
April 16, 2024
I'm not a dump truck.
August 17, 2024
Wow
You couldn't make this stuff up -- but no surprise that HPD was/is riddled with corruption -- we deserved/deserve better.
You couldn't make this stuff up -- but no surprise that HPD was/is riddled with corruption -- we deserved/deserve better.
September 12, 2024
Such a strange story. I first came across it on a podcast. Totally corrupt people and police force. Truth is stranger than fiction for sure
April 15, 2022
I am an admirer of Michael Connelly crime mysteries. This book, however, beats any fictional account because it actually happened. The crimes occurred in peaceful Honolulu. The story does not end in the book, it continues in Federal court now. Anyone who likes crime and legal mysteries will enjoy the book. A law-biding person will find the crimes by the police chief, his prosecutor wife and various members of the police force simply astounding.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews