Hawaii Prosecutors Earn Top DOJ Litigation Award
Ten federal prosecutors, staff, and agents in Hawaiʻi were honored for their work prosecuting the Miske Enterprise.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Financial Crime
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Ten members of the District of Hawaiʻi U.S. Attorney's Office, staff, and agents received the 2026 Director's Award for Superior Performance by a Litigation Team at an October 28, 2026 ceremony in Washington, D.C. The honor recognized the prosecution of the Miske Enterprise, a violent criminal organization that operated in Hawaiʻi for decades, in which 20 members and associates were convicted.
Why it matters
The case shows the federal government's ability to dismantle a long-running violent criminal enterprise through a sustained, multi-year investigation. The recognition highlights the resources and coordination required for complex prosecutions affecting communities across Hawaiʻi.
The award recognized 10 honorees among 183 Department of Justice employees, following a seven-month federal trial and an investigation lasting more than 10 years that produced 20 convictions. Sentencing outcomes for the convicted defendants were not addressed in the available information.
The players
Mark Inciong
Former Assistant U.S. Attorney who served as lead prosecutor in the Miske case before retiring in March 2025 after nearly 27 years in federal service.
Michael J. Miske
Leader of the Miske Enterprise, a violent criminal organization that operated in Hawaiʻi for decades, who was convicted at trial.
The details
The honorees were recognized for their work presenting a seven-month federal trial involving thousands of exhibits and hundreds of witnesses. The investigation was carried out by the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, EPA Criminal Investigation Division, and ATF, with assistance from numerous other agencies.
Timeline
More than 10 years before the 2026 awards: Investigation of the Miske Enterprise began.
March 2025: Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Inciong retired after nearly 27 years of federal service.
October 28, 2026: Director's Awards ceremony held in Washington, D.C.
Legal Context
The Miske prosecution follows the federal racketeering model used to dismantle violent criminal enterprises through multi-defendant conspiracy cases. The award recognizes a long-running investigation that produced convictions against 20 members and associates, a pattern common in large federal enterprise prosecutions.
The convictions of 20 members and associates of a violent enterprise operating in Hawaiʻi reduce the criminal network's presence in local communities. The seven-month trial and multi-year investigation reflect sustained federal law enforcement effort within the state.
The takeaway
Complex organized crime cases often take more than a decade to build and depend on coordination among many federal agencies. Readers interested in federal enforcement can track how these multi-year prosecutions unfold.
Further reading
Explore more Financial Crime coverage from Hawaii to see how federal prosecutions are shaping local justice outcomes.
More information
Learn more about the work of federal prosecutors through the EOUSA mission and US Attorneys' offices information page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Maui Now | Hawaii News | Local Maui News and Information | Hawaii News.
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