LIHUE — An Anahola man was given a chance to succeed with addiction treatment or face prison for a drug-related theft of an Anini Beach residence on Thursday in 5th Circuit Court. Nathan Kalaukahiki Lemn, 49, was sentenced to
LIHUE — An Anahola man was given a chance to succeed with addiction treatment or face prison for a drug-related theft of an Anini Beach residence on Thursday in 5th Circuit Court.
Nathan Kalaukahiki Lemn, 49, was sentenced to nine months jail for methamphetamine possession, with a four-year term of HOPE (Hawaii’s Opportunity Probation with Enforcement) for close supervision of high-risk offenders. He was given six months probation and time served for fourth-degree theft.
Lemn pleaded no contest to the charges on May 15. The sentences will run concurrently and Lemn will get credit for 163 days served at Kauai Community Correctional Center.
“I want to walk the walk,” Lemn said about turning his “negative into a positive.”
Extensive jail time has meant the loss of a job and the inability to be responsible for his daughter and himself, which Lemn said made him feel the “lowest of the low.”
“Let’s not beat around the bush, you’re looking at the open term or HOPE probation with substantial jail time,” said Chief Judge Randal Valenciano about Lemn’s extensive criminal record that was fueled by methamphetamine addiction. “You have been using since 1990 and this has to stop.”
Lemn was originally charged with first-degree burglary and fourth-degree theft after an arrest on Jan. 31, 2014. He was convicted of entering a Kalihiwai residence and took unauthorized control of a Locoste bag. When arrested later that day, police found methamphetamine and marijuana in Lemn’s vehicle.
County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney George White said Lemn has “pulled himself up by the bootstraps” and has performed well while on supervised release. The state recommended the HOPE probation with up to 90 days jail.
