Michael, whose mother Carolyn Golojuch was challenging Rep. Mark Moses, R-Kapolei, in the general election, will face fourth degree theft charges on Nov. 8, 2005, in the Ewa District Court for allegedly stealing Moses’ campaign signs. Michael Jr. also was a candidate for the House seat in a previous election.

Hawaii Reporter in 2004 reported Michael Jr. was "Caught in the Act" taking the signs -- an accusation he never denied -- particularly because Moses had the entire episode on film.

Michael Jr.'s defense was he had a right to take the signs because they were on public property -- even though Moses was just steps away with his son waving in traditional Hawaii campaign style to passersby.

Moses told Hawaii Reporter that he asked Michael Jr. to give the signs back, but he refused and put them in his car, laughed, and drove off. And that was reportedly not the first time Michael Jr. took Moses' signs, according to Moses, who filed a police report about the incident. Moses said Michael Jr. had "taunted" him about taking the signs in the past and had so far "gone unpunished for the brazen acts."

But this time, the city prosecutor says there was enough evidence to charge Michael Jr. with theft, and said if he is convicted, he could face up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

The Golojuch family has a controversial history in Hawaii.

The mother and son team promotes gay, transsexual and lesbian rights to the detriment of other groups, opponents say.

They are members of the anti-God Hawaii Coalition for the Separation of State and Church. They have fought to have Christian symbols removed from public places, including where people died and loved ones left reminders, such as in Sacred Falls on Mother's Day 11 years ago when a number of hikers died tragically in a rock slide.

The family members -- including son, mother and father, Michael Golojuch Sr. -- take turns running for office each election cycle. In 2002, all three were candidates in local political races.

And most recently, Michael Jr. challenged the city in court over the city’s refusal to allow words like "PAGAN" and "HELL" on automobile license plates while clearing words like "1GOD" and "HEAVEN," saying "If you allow 'heaven' you have to allow 'hell.'"

At least five terms relating to paganism, Satanism and atheism were not cleared by the city's licensing system, Golojuch complained.

So far the city has refused to change its filtering system, saying it is based on the system in New York City and that those applying for vanity license plate terms that were turned down, have the right to reapply in person at the city office that oversees licensing.

Here are the photos that Rep. Mark Moses provided to the Honolulu City Prosecutor:

Reach Malia Zimmerman, editor and president of Hawaii Reporter, via email atmailto:Malia@hawaiireporter.com

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