Alika Smith of Hawaii: Allegations, Theft Charges, and Career

Former University of Hawaii basketball star Justin Alika Pekelo Smith was charged in August 2024 with stealing money that parents had paid him to cover hotel rooms for the Waiākea High School boys’ basketball team he coached in Hilo. The Alika Smith Hawaii theft case includes one count of second-degree theft, a class C felony, and one misdemeanor count of negotiating a worthless negotiable instrument. Smith, 48 at the time of his arrest, pleaded not guilty, was released on $25,000 bail, and was scheduled for a change-of-plea hearing on July 9, 2025.¹

What Prosecutors Say Happened

Smith was responsible for arranging team hotel accommodations through a company called Sports Travel LLC. The total bill came to $3,788.75. According to the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General, Smith collected $3,627 from the players’ parents and kept the money for himself. He paid Sports Travel only $500 and wrote a check for the balance knowing it would not be honored. The check bounced for insufficient funds, and the remainder was never paid.²

The hotel arrangements date to December 2022, near the end of Smith’s year coaching at Waiākea, where he was employed from November 2021 to November 2022.³ Hawaii Police arrested him on August 29, 2024, and the Attorney General’s office announced the charges the next day. Acting Attorney General Matthew Dvonch said in a statement that “the people of Hawaiʻi expect their public servants to act with honesty and integrity” and that “when a public servant steals, the people’s faith in government is undermined.” A spokesperson for the Hawaii Department of Education declined to comment, citing the pending litigation.⁴

The Charges and What They Carry

Second-degree theft under Hawaii Revised Statutes § 708-831 covers theft of property or services worth more than $750. As a class C felony, it carries up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.⁵ The misdemeanor charge, which applies to someone who issues a check knowing it will bounce, carries up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.²

Where the Case Stands

The case, State v. Smith, No. 3CPC-24-0000603, is in Hilo Circuit Court (Third Circuit). Deputy Attorney General Thomas Michener is prosecuting for the state’s Special Investigation and Prosecution Division, and Smith is represented by Kai McGuire of Big Island Lawyer LLC.⁵

Smith entered his not-guilty plea before Hilo Circuit Judge Henry Nakamoto in September 2024 and was released on $25,000 bail.⁵ A follow-up court appearance was set for November 25, 2024.⁶ In May 2025, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported that Smith was scheduled to appear before Hilo Circuit Judge Peter Kubota on July 9, 2025, for a change-of-plea hearing, which suggests a plea agreement was under discussion.¹

Who Alika Smith Is

Smith is a well-known figure in Hawaii basketball, which is why the case drew statewide attention. He played guard at the University of Hawaii from 1994 to 1998, scoring 1,415 points over 112 games and shooting 38.2 percent from three. He was a two-time All-WAC selection and earned All-WAC Defense honors in 1996-97, and he remains among the program’s all-time leaders in points and three-pointers made.⁷⁴

He later built a decorated coaching resume at the high school level. After one season at Punahou (24-4, state semifinals), he took over at his alma mater, Kalaheo High School, in the summer of 2010 and won three state championships over five seasons: a Division II title around 2011-12, a Division I title the following year, and another Division I title in 2014-15. He stepped down from Kalaheo in June 2015.⁸⁹ He also served as a UH assistant coach from 2005 to 2007 under Riley Wallace.¹⁰

1
Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Former Hawaii Hoops Star Alika Smith to Appear for Change of Plea
2
Hawaii Attorney General. News Release – State v. Smith
3
Hawaii News Now. Former Waiakea High School Basketball Coach Charged With Theft
4
Spectrum News Hawaii. Alika Smith Waiakea Coach Basketball Theft Charge
5
Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Former UH Basketball Star Alika Smith Pleads Not Guilty to Theft
6
KITV. Former UH Basketball Star Charged With Felony Theft Pleads Not Guilty
7
Sports Reference. Alika Smith College Basketball Stats
8
Hawaii Prep World. Smith Steps Down as Kalaheo Basketball Coach
9
Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Ex-UH Basketball Star, High School Coach Charged With Theft
10
Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Alika Smith Not Retained as UH Assistant Coach