Jury finds Maui officer’s killer eligible for extended sentencing

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Clembert Kaneholani will spend his 40th birthday behind bars next month – and likely every birthday after that for the rest of his life.

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He was found guilty last week of first-degree murder, which carries a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole.

On Monday, Judge Peter Cahill asked how he was doing.

“Good,” Kaneholani replied.

However, Hawaii law does allow defendants to apply for a reconsideration from the governor for a sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole after 20 years.

That is part of the reason why prosecutors argued Monday that Kaneholani should be eligible to extended terms of imprisonment for the protection of the public.

County of Maui Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Martin said most importantly, the enhanced sentence is justice for Officer O.

He used Kaneholani’s own words from a jailhouse phone call after Officer O’s murder as proof.

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Prosecutors cite jailhouse conversation

“Defendant says, ‘I got one.’ Sister says, ‘One down and many more to go.’ One down and many more to go. Defendant says, ‘I’m gonna get um all down my eye over here. Not gonna be tear drops. Gonna be badges,’” Martin said.

Defense argued against enhanced sentencing

Kaneholani’s attorney, Zachary Raidmae, said the enhanced sentencing was unnecessary.

“People change with time. It’s about growing up,” Raidmae said. “And as distance and time from what happened grows longer and longer and longer for Alii, he’s going to grow and he’s going to be able to change,”

Judge Peter Cahill asked Kaneholani multiple times if he wanted to testify.

“No sir,” Kaneholani said each time.

Jury deliberated two hours

The jury deliberated for about two hours before agreeing with prosecutors that Kaneholani should be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

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It is up to Judge Cahill on whether to impose the enhanced sentence.