WAILUKU, Maui — Jeffrey Arnold, former president and chief executive officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Maui, has been arrested for allegedly embezzling more than $25,000 from the nonprofit agency, officials said.

Arnold, 43, was arrested Wednesday at his home in California after he failed to show up for his arraignment on theft charges on Maui. He was being held in a Northern California jail Thursday pending an extradition proceeding to have him brought back to Maui, officials said.

He was indicted by a Maui County grand jury last month for allegedly using agency credit cards to make unauthorized charges from June 2002 to December 2003.

He stepped down in March 2004 after accounting irregularities were found during an internal audit.

Defense attorney David Sereno told the court on Wednesday that his client hadn't been able to get a seat on a flight to Maui.

"He has been trying for the past week to get a confirmed ticket," Sereno said. "He's been at the airport."

Second Circuit Judge Joel August rescheduled Arnold's arraignment for Jan. 4.

The nonprofit group is continuing to serve hundreds of youths on Maui, Lana'i and Moloka'i. About 300 youths are matched with volunteer adults and teenagers in mentor and after-school programs, officials said.

"Big Brothers Big Sisters was put in a really trying situation," said Brian Garraway, chairman of the organization.

Garraway said the first obligation was the keep the agency running.

"My other obligation, to the community, to our supporters and our local government, is to see the situation through with the embezzlement issue," he said.

"The bottom line is it's all about the kids and giving them a little hope. That's what our job is."