Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation served a search warrant Thursday morning on the offices of Na Leo ‘O Hawaii public access television, which provides public access programming to Hawaii County cable television subscribers.

Jason White, special agent and spokesman for the FBI’s Honolulu office, said the warrant is sealed at this time “and probably will remain that way for the foreseeable future.”

An FBI agent walks out of the main entry of Na Leo 'O Hawaii public access television. The FBI conducted a search of the Hilo facility on Thursday. Photo: Tim Wright
An FBI agent walks out of the main entry of Na Leo ‘O Hawaii public access television. The FBI conducted a search of the Hilo facility Thursday. Tim Wright/Civil Beat/2020

“The only thing we’re releasing is we are doing a search warrant over there at Na Leo TV today,” White said. “The investigation is ongoing, so we’re not going to provide much more than that.”

He said there have not been any arrests. Agents who were conducting the search that began shortly after 9:30 a.m. were reportedly focused on computer equipment in the studios or offices of Na Leo.

Stacy Higa, a former Hawaii County council chairman and one of the leading candidates for Hawaii County mayor this year is president and chief executive officer of Na Leo. Higa placed fifth in the August primary and failed to advance to next month’s general election.

Also on the staff of Na Leo is Micah Alameda, who has served as a member of the board of directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority since 2018. Alameda is assistant general manager and marketing manager of Na Leo, and it is unknown if he is linked in any way to the FBI search of Na Leo’s offices at 91 Mohouli St. in Hilo.

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