56 year-old Pio Kapeli of Puna was sentenced to ten years in prison for attempted distribution of
methamphetamine.

Yesterday, Kapeli, who remained in custody in lieu of $221,000.00 bail throughout the pendency of his proceedings, appeared in Hilo Circuit Court for sentencing.

At the time of the commission of the meth distribution offense, Kapeli was on felony probation for theft and assault crimes.

On April 29,2024 Kapeli entered a “Guilty” plea to the offense of Attempted Promoting
a Dangerous Drug in the Second Degree.

According to police reports, on January 31, 2024, Kapeli was contacted by police while seated on the stage area of the Mo‘oheau Bandstand with a backpack between his legs. Following the execution of a narcotics search warrant, Vice officers recovered over four ounces of methamphetamine from within the backpack.

Attempted Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Second Degree (knowingly distribute any
dangerous drug, methamphetamine, in any amount) is a class B felony which carries a maximum
penalty of a ten-year prison term.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Elyssa Correia Keltner.

HPD Photo