Debtor Audits
As mandated in Section 603(a) of Public Law 109-8, the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 (BAPCPA), the United States Trustee Program (USTP) established procedures for independent audit firms to audit petitions, schedules, and other information in consumer bankruptcy cases filed on or after October 20, 2006. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 586(f), the USTP contracted with independent accounting firms to perform audits in cases designated by the USTP.

The FY 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act, Public Law 110-161, provided no funding for debtor audits. As a result, the USTP has suspended its designation of cases subject to audit and has notified the independent accounting firms performing the audits. The Program is pursuing alternative sources of funding to permit it to resume the designation of cases subject to audit and, if successful, intends to reinstate the audits.

Pursuant to Section 603(a) of BAPCPA and 28 U.S.C. § 586(a)(6), in the spring, the USTP will make public information concerning the aggregate results of the debtor audits performed during fiscal year 2007.

UNITED STATES TRUSTEE PROGRAM

The United States Trustee Program is a component of the Department of Justice that is responsible for overseeing the administration of bankruptcy cases and private trustees who administer bankruptcy estates.  It also identifies and helps investigate bankruptcy fraud and abuse in coordination with United States Attorneys, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and other law enforcement agencies.  The Program consists of an Executive Office for U.S. Trustees in Washington, D.C., 21 regional offices, and 95 field offices.

UNITED STATES TRUSTEE – REGION 15
Bankruptcy cases and privates trustees in the District of Hawaii are overseen by the United States Trustee for Region 15, based in San Diego, California.

TIFFANY L. CARROLL, Acting United States Trustee
402 West Broadway, Suite 600
San Diego, CA 92101-8511
Phone:  619.557.5013  Fax:  619.557.5339

ASSISTANT UNITED STATES TRUSTEE – HAWAII

CAROL K. MURANAKA, Assistant United States Trustee
1132 Bishop Street, Suite 602
Honolulu, HI 96813-2836
Phone:  808.522.8150  Fax:  808.522.8156

CASE TRUSTEES

Case trustees are private trustees, not government employees, appointed by the United States Trustee to administer bankruptcy cases under specific chapters.

CHAPTER 7 PANEL TRUSTEES
Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 586, the Unites States Trustee is authorized to establish a panel of private trustees eligible to serve as trustees in Chapter 7 cases.  Immediately after the filing of a voluntary petition, a member of this panel is appointed as interim trustee and serves as trustee throughout the case unless creditors request an election and another person is elected trustee.  The members of the Chapter 7 Trustee panel in the District of Hawaii are:

DAVID C. FARMER
PO Box 2372
Honolulu, HI 96804
Phone:  808.222.3133  Fax:  808.529.8642
Email: farmerd001Hawaii.rr.com             

DANE S. FIELD
333 Queen Street, Suite 803
Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone:  808.232.8788  Fax:  808.531.1020
Email: danef@gucl.com

RONALD K. KOTOSHIRODO
76 North King Street, Suite 209
Honolulu, HI 96817
Phone:  808.545.7700
Email: rkotoshirodo@hawaii.rr.com

CHAPTER 12 TRUSTEES
Trustees for Chapter 12 cases are assigned on a case by case basis.

CHAPTER 13 STANDING TRUSTEE
Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 586, the Unites States Trustee is authorized to appoint a standing trustee to serve as trustee in all Chapter 13 cases.  The standing trustee appointed in the District of Hawaii is:

HOWARD M.S.HU
1132 Bishop Street, Suite 301
Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone:  808.526.3083  Fax:  808.531.8844
Email: chapt13hi@aol.com