Kona Janitorial Business Owner Charged with 17 State Tax Violations

74-year-old Georgia Kathryn Santos faces felony and misdemeanor counts for alleged failure to file returns and pay taxes

Apr. 15, 2026 at 10:05am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a crumpled tax document or receipt, the harsh flash illuminating the textured surface and creating a stark, investigative aesthetic without any visible words or symbols.A stark, gritty image of the physical evidence at the heart of an alleged tax evasion case, exposing the real-world impact of financial crimes.Kailua Today

The 74-year-old owner of a janitorial service in Kona, Hawaii has been charged with 17 violations of state tax law after she allegedly failed to file returns and pay taxes for her business, Kahealani Property Services LLC, over several years.

Why it matters

Ensuring businesses and individuals meet their tax obligations is essential for maintaining fairness and public trust in the tax system. This case highlights the state's efforts to pursue criminal charges against those who willfully evade their tax responsibilities.

The details

Georgia Kathryn Santos was charged in a 17-count information and complaint in state court on March 25 in connection with alleged violations of Hawaii state tax laws. The charges are related to Santos' ownership and operation of Kahealani Property Services LLC, a janitorial service located in Kailua-Kona. Santos faces five felony counts of willful failure to collect and pay withholding taxes for tax years 2018 through 2022, each carrying a potential sentence of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000 per count for Santos and up to $500,000 per count for her business. She is also charged with 12 nonfelony counts of willful failure to file required tax returns, including general excise tax and withholding tax returns, for tax years 2018 through 2023, each carrying a potential sentence of up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $25,000 per count for the individual and up to $100,000 per count for the company.

  • Santos was arrested by Hawaii Police Department officers at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, April 12, 2026.
  • Santos was charged in a 17-count information and complaint in state court on March 25, 2026.

The players

Georgia Kathryn Santos

The 74-year-old owner of Kahealani Property Services LLC, a janitorial service in Kona, Hawaii.

Brandon K. Golden

The Deputy Attorney General prosecuting the case against Santos.

Mark S. Kawata

The attorney representing Santos.

Gary Suganuma

The Director of Taxation for the state of Hawaii, who stated that ensuring employers meet their tax obligations is essential for maintaining fairness for taxpayers.

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What they’re saying

“Ensuring that employers meet their tax obligations is essential to maintaining fairness for Hawaii taxpayers. When individuals or businesses fail to file required returns or remit taxes that have been withheld, it undermines public trust. We appreciate the Attorney General's partnership in pursuing this case and remind all taxpayers to stay current with their filings and payments.”

— Gary Suganuma, Director of Taxation, State of Hawaii

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday, April 23, 2026 whether or not to allow Santos to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the state's efforts to hold business owners accountable for meeting their tax obligations, which is crucial for maintaining fairness and public trust in the tax system. It serves as a reminder to all taxpayers, both individuals and businesses, to ensure they are filing required returns and remitting taxes owed.