Stolen Stuff Hawaii: Fighting Crime, Protecting Communities & the Future of Public Safety in Hawaii
What started with a stolen van and a decade's worth of missing tools has grown into one of Hawaii's most recognizable community-driven crime reporting platforms.
On this episode of The Right Side with Gina Crabtree, Michael Kitchens, founder of Stolen Stuff Hawaii (SSH), returns to discuss how social media, technology, and everyday residents are changing the way crime is reported, investigated, and prevented across the Hawaiian Islands.
With a combined social media following of approximately 330,000 people, Kitchens shares how Stolen Stuff Hawaii has evolved beyond Facebook into a growing network of community resources, including the newly launched SSH Crimefighter platform.
Gina and Michael explore the importance of citizen journalism, the power of dashcam and surveillance footage, collaboration with law enforcement, and the challenges of separating facts from viral misinformation.
In this episode:
- The story behind Stolen Stuff Hawaii: How a family theft in 2014 inspired Michael Kitchens to create a community-powered crime reporting network.
- Introducing SSH Crimefighter: A new Hawaii-focused platform featuring crime maps, missing persons information, lost and found pets, community forums, and other public safety resources.
- Faster community crime reporting: How SSHReport.com helps residents submit photos, videos, and incident information for review and distribution.
- Supporting Hawaii law enforcement: Michael discusses sharing information with the Honolulu Police Department, assisting investigations, and collaborating with missing-child organizations.
- Citizen journalism and media accountability: How smartphones, Ring cameras, dashcams, and social media are transforming local news coverage—and why verifying information before sharing matters.
- Privacy, misinformation, and online responsibility: The legal and ethical challenges of publishing surveillance footage, identifying suspects, and protecting minors.
- Community success stories: Reuniting families with missing loved ones and lost pets through timely information and public participation.
- A special Hawaii community event: Michael shares details about an October 28 meet-and-greet and car gathering at the Navy Exchange Pearl Harbor featuring actor Sung Kang.
The conversation also examines the influence of artificial intelligence, social media censorship, digital privacy, and the future of community-driven public safety in Hawaii.
Explore Stolen Stuff Hawaii:
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Visit theanswerhonolulu.com and follow @TheAnswerHonolulu on Instagram, Facebook, and X for more conversations and Hawaii community news.
What is The Right Side with Gina Crabtree?
Remember when common sense was common? When standing up for what is right is, simply, the right thing to do? Welcome to “The RIGHT Side”: A Common Sense Conversation. Where Hawaii’s conservative legislators and leaders will gather to discuss our local political landscape and how it affects you, your ‘Ohana and your community.
Gina Crabtree is the sharp-tongued, quick-witted host of The Right Side. With more than five years of broadcast experience, Gina has built a reputation for asking direct questions, cutting through political talking points, and bringing a healthy dose of humor to serious conversations. Known for her sardonic style and no-nonsense approach, Gina embraces a "tell it like it is" philosophy that keeps interviews engaging, candid, and often unpredictable. On The Right Side, she sits down with local leaders and policymakers to discuss the issues shaping Hawaii's future, giving listeners an inside look at the people behind the headlines.