Hilo Man Sentenced to 10 Years Prison for Drug, Firearm Offenses

A Hilo man was sentenced to 10 years prison after pleading guilty to charges related to possession and the attempted distribution of methamphetamine and a firearms offense.

Twenty-six-year-old Elijah Mahaulu entered a guilty on March 14 on charges of second-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, second-degree attempted promotion of a dangerous drug and permits to acquire. Charges stem from an incident that occurred on Nov. 10, 2020, on Awa Street in Panaewa.

“Mahaulu was a full-fledged drug dealer with absolutely no regard for the law or his children, who slept in the bed near the closet housing his drug stash. He had thousands of dollars in his possession,” argued Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Elyssa Correia Keltner, who handled prosecution of the case and argued for the imposition of the maximum 10 year prison term. “Hard earned money? No! This was money he received from selling poison to members of our community.”

Mahaulu, who was out of custody after posting $172,000 bail back in November 2020, was ordered to be taken into custody immediately to serve his sentence.

“Today’s sentencing sends a clear message to those who distribute dangerous narcotics, including methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl, and poison our community, that no matter if you have a limited criminal history, you will still be held accountable for your actions,” said Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen. “It’s time that law enforcement, prosecutors, and our community unite to work together to take back Hawai‘i Island and make it a safer and better place to live.”