$128,000 stolen from Aloha United Way office

About $128,000 in donations from a fundraising campaign involving 45 Oahu companies was stolen from the Aloha United Way office in Honolulu during Thanksgiving weekend. The theft occurred on Nov. 29 at the office at 200 N. Vineyard Blvd., Suite 700.

Among the agencies that held open-to-the-public fundraisers this fall for the campaign are the state Department of Budget and Finance, the state attorney general's office and the Honolulu prosecutor's office. AUW informed donors of the loss on Dec. 9 so that they could review their bank statements, sign up for free credit reports to check for suspicious activity, report checks stolen and attempt to stop payments. AUW said it would pay for all stop-payment fees.

AUW urged those who used checks to pay for items at those fundraisers to call their financial institutions because their personal information may have been compromised. The nonprofit contacted affected companies via phone, letters and e-mails.

No details were available immediately on how the thief or thieves gained access to the office and no arrests were made. Additional security measures were implemented at the office to ensure another theft does not happen, said Aloha United Way President Susan Doyle.

"We are saddened that monies donated to Aloha United Way were stolen. More importantly, we are truly sorry that this has directly affected our generous donors. When a criminal act of this nature occurs, it affects everyone, including the much-needed services to our community," said Doyle in a written statement.