Hilo Man Charged with Stealing Ukuleles, Government Trucks

A Hilo man is facing multiple charges in relation to the theft of ukuleles and government vehicles.

Hawai’i County Police report that on Sept. 9, the State Department of Agriculture reported that a white Dodge Dakota pickup truck was stolen from state property on Lanikaula Street in Hilo and that the truck had rammed a chain link fence to exit the property.

Later that evening, Blue Kela, 26, of Hilo was found next to the suspected vehicle.

Police reported the truck had fraudulent license plates and visible marks that logos had been removed from the front doors.

According to the report, police confirmed that the truck was the one belonging to the state and arrested Kela on suspicion of first-degree theft.

An investigation revealed that Kela was also responsible for stealing two Jeep Cherokees belonging to Hawaiʻi County in August from parking lots on Aupuni Street.

The investigation also revealed that Kela was responsible for stealing six ukuleles from a downtown Hilo store after damaging a door and breaking into the building on July 31.

Hawai’i County Police charged Kela at 4:30 p.m. last Friday with first-degree theft, second-degree theft, second-degree burglary, unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle, fraudulent use of license plates, two counts of criminal property damage and two counts of unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle.

His bail was set at $53,000. His initial court appearance was Tuesday and he has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Thursday afternoon in Hilo District Court.