Nora Piilani Contrades, 56, of Kapa’a, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for possession of more than an ounce of cocaine. Prosecutor Craig De Costa later cited a statute that requires mandatory minimum imprisonment for those with repeat felony convictions
Nora Piilani Contrades, 56, of Kapa’a, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for possession of more than an ounce of cocaine.
Prosecutor Craig De Costa later cited a statute that requires mandatory minimum imprisonment for those with repeat felony convictions within a certain time frame, unless the judge feels an overwhelming reason to mitigate, or reduce, the sentence. A letter written by former Kaua’i mayor JoAnn Yukimura to Judge Nakea aimed at mitigating Contrades’ punishment.
In this case, Contrades had three prior class B felony convictions all related to drugs, within 10 years of the current class A felony conviction, which was also drug related.
Contrades was arrested last November for possession of approximately 53 grams of cocaine (almost two ounces), including the weight of packaging. An ounce of cocaine weighs about 28.35 grams, worth about $2000-3000. An eighth of an ounce, or about 3.5 grams, carries a street value of $250-300.
The letter from Yukimura characterized Contrades as a hard worker who was trying to turn her life around. Yukimura said she employed Contrades after she was released from incarceration, and that she worked hard in getting a house and building a life after being released. Contrades started a cleaning business, but financial problems prompted her to start selling cocaine again, Acoba said.
Judge Nakea said he had a feeling that mitigation might be appropriate, but looking through Contrades’ file, he said he saw nothing to justify it, however heartfelt and sincere the letter.
Contrades’ public defender Edmund Acoba said he thought the judge would give her a chance to rehabilitate herself, especially considering new state legislation regarding rehabilitation for drug offenders.
“Her life was getting on track and a moment of weakness caused her to go back to her old lifestyle. She’s very remorseful,” Acoba said after the sentencing.
Durgh Kane, 42, a well-known member of the canoe-paddling community, pleaded not guilty to first-degree assault and is scheduled for trial in November.
Kane faces a criminal complaint originally filed in district court charging him with first-degree assault on May 26. After a preliminary hearing on July 19, the case was sent to circuit court.
During the preliminary hearing, a witness said that she witnessed part of the alleged incident. She testified that she saw Kane break a glass on the wall and shoved it into the victim’s face, cutting his face. Kane’s defense attorney, Erick Moon, said that they do not dispute the fact that Kane cut the man’s face with a glass, but Kane’s version of what happened is different.
Hitting the alleged victim in the face with the glass was a reaction along the lines of self-defense after he tried to stop Kane from leaving the bar with a glass and take a glass away from him.
Kane was arrested on May 26 at about 2:35 a.m. in Lihu’e town, according to the complaint.
Doctors said that it will take at least six months to find out what permanent scarring the alleged victim will have on his face, and if a plastic surgeon might be needed, Moon said.
The defense requested to delay Kane’s trial until November. De Costa referred to a penal rule that generally allows a speedy trial by prescribing a limit of six months from the time of a person’s arrest or indictment. Kane’s trial date will be cutting it close. Defense attorney Erick Moon said that his bid for council will keep him quite busy until then.
Sebastian Ujano, while sitting in the jury box awaiting sentencing for stealing a credit card and using it fraudulently, stood up and shouted across the courtroom, to his co-defendant Roy Gouveia’s brother.
He glared at Ujano from the back row of the room, apparently flashing hand signals and nodding his head at Ujano. Ujano’s legs and arms were in chains but he gestured defiantly, as if he was getting ready to fight. Sheriffs removed both men from the courtroom.
Ujano’s outburst interrupted the personal statement from Jonathan Kalani Ibana, who was addressing Judge Nakea regarding his own sentencing.
Ujano was sentenced to five years imprisonment, minus 112 days that he’s already served. The defense had requested probation, but prosecutor Craig De Costa noted that Ujano was convicted of assault and violating a temporary restraining order while on probation.
He apologized to the judge for disturbing that morning’s proceedings. Judge Nakea asked Ujano why he continued to break the law so often in such a short period of time; if the crimes were drug or alcohol-related. Ujano said he didn’t know.
“The assaults, I got my own reasons,” he said.
“He’s run out of chances,” De Costa said.
Roy Gouveia, who was charged regarding the same case with Ujano for forgery and using a stolen credit card, was also sentenced Thursday.
Gouveia served 124 days at KCCC, but he won’t be going back. Instead, Judge Nakea sentenced him to five years of probation and 600 hours of community service, as well as $350 in fees for probation services and the crime victims’ fund.
Staff Writer Kendyce Manguchei can be reached at kmanguchei@pulitzer.net or 245-3681 (ext. 252).
