50 year-old Duke Kaleolani Malakaua of Hilo was arrested and charged in relation to the theft of a Chevrolet pickup that was originally reported stolen from a Kona business between August 9 and 10, as well as the attempted distribution of methamphetamine.

Police reports indicate that VICE officers obtained a search warrant to search the Chevrolet pickup and recovered over nineteen grams of methamphetamine broken down into distributable amounts.

As the Complaint alleges, Malakaua was charged with six offenses including Attempted Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the First Degree (attempt to distribute one-eighth ounce or more of methamphetamine), Theft in the First Degree (obtained or exerted unauthorized control over the property of another, a motor vehicle), Unauthorized Control of a Propelled Vehicle in the First Degree, Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Second Degree (possess one-eighth ounce or more of methamphetamine), Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Third Degree (possess any amount of methamphetamine), and Prohibited Acts Related to Drug Paraphernalia. The most serious charge, Attempted Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the First Degree is a class A felony offense punishable by a maximum penalty of a twenty-year prison term. Theft in the First Degree and Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Second Degree are both class B felony offenses punishable by a maximum penalty of a ten-year prison term.

The charges are merely allegations and the Defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The theft case was initiated by Kona Patrol while the arrest was made by South Hilo Patrol. The felony drug investigation was led by HPD’s Area I VICE Section.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Elyssa Correia Keltner.

 

Photo credit: Hawaiʻi County Prosecuting Attorney