Hawaii state Rep. Sylvia Luke agreed to accept $35,000 in campaign funds in exchange for steering COVID-19 testing emergency appropriations
On January 20, 2022, Hawaii state Rep. Sylvia Luke — then chair of the House Finance Committee — attended a dinner at Morton's Steakhouse in Honolulu at which businessman Tobi Solidum promised her $35,000 (half of a committed $70,000) in campaign contributions in exchange for her assistance in directing emergency state appropriations to fund COVID-19 testing contracts held by the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii, which Solidum's consulting firm managed. Luke was indicted on 12 bribery and conspiracy counts by a Hawaii grand jury on July 25, 2026, alongside four co-defendants.