lfujimoto@mauinews.com
WAILUKU – A man with a criminal history of more than 100 arrests and 49 convictions was sentenced last week to a 10-year prison term.
As a repeat offender, Dawson Kajihiro, 32, of Napili was ordered to serve at least three years and four months of the term before being eligible for parole.
Speaking in court, Kajihiro said he accepted the consequences.
“I realize I not the one suffering while being incarcerated. My kids, my family suffer,” he said. “I’d like to apologize to my kids, my family for not being there for them.”
In five criminal cases, Kajihiro had pleaded no contest to third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, first-degree bail jumping, a reduced charge of second-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, second-degree burglary, second-degree theft, two counts of third-degree criminal property damage, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, habitual property crime and third-degree theft.
Bautista
WAILUKU For a jealous attack that caused his wife to suffer fractured ribs and a collapsed lung, a Kahului man was sentenced Wednesday to prison terms totaling 15 years.
“These offenses are so serious,” 2nd Circuit Judge Rhonda Loo said in ordering consecutive sentencing for Rommel Bautista. “You could have killed your wife.
“There was no part of your wife’s body that was untouched. She complained of pain to almost every single part of her body from head to toe head, neck, chest, ears, throat, legs and the list goes on and on.”
Bautista, 41, had pleaded no contest to second-degree assault, first-degree terroristic threatening and felony abuse of a family member. In exchange for his pleas, the prosecution dismissed four other charges, including second-degree attempted murder.
lfujimoto@mauinews.com
WAILUKU With attorneys and the judge acknowledging a Kahului man’s progress in drug treatment and life, he was placed on four years’ probation Thursday for burglary and drug convictions.
David Mollena Jr., 30, was working and participating in drug treatment on Maui, after the pandemic made it difficult to obtain treatment off island, said his attorney, Elizabeth Cuccia.
“When he is sober, he is a contributing member of society,” she said.
Deputy Prosecutor Shelly Miyashiro also cited Mollena’s progress and the victims’ desire for him to get treatment, in recommending that he be sentenced to probation and given credit for more than 18 months he spent in jail.
The Maui News
WAILUKU A man who tested positive for drug use days after being placed on probation was resentenced Wednesday to a five-year prison term.
Alia Huddleston, 29, of Makawao admitted to twice testing positive for methamphetamine and cocaine.
On Sept. 23, he was placed on four years’ probation for second-degree unauthorized entry into a dwelling.
“I think the mistake this court made was placing Mr. Huddleston on probation back in September,” 2nd Circuit Judge Richard Bissen said in imposing the prison sentence. “Within seven days, he was already violating his probation.”
Deputy Prosecutor Shelly Miyashiro recommended the prison term for Huddleston. She said he was paroled from prison on March 20, 2019. A few months later, on June 12, 2019, he was arrested for illegally entering a residence on Mission Street in Wailuku, according to court records.
Kaniho-Batoon
WAILUKU A woman said she ripped open a portion of a locked bedroom door to escape after being twice strangled by her former boyfriend at her residence on Lanai last week.
“I couldn’t breathe. I was gasping for air,” Marcelina Perez said while recounting how Alika Kaniho-Batoon applied pressure on her neck while he was on top of her on a bed. “When I did get air, I wanted to leave and he would not let me out of the door.”
Perez, 41, testified at a preliminary hearing Tuesday in Lanai District Court, convening in Wailuku, for Kaniho-Batoon, 23, who is facing charges including attempted murder.