Hanalei man sentenced to 5-year prison term

LIHUE — A Hanalei man was sentenced to a five-year prison term after eight years of parole violations and new offenses caught up with him Thursday in 5th Circuit Court.

Chief Judge Randal Valenciano said Jesse Kai Olanolan, 40, has amassed 80 arrests and 38 convictions in his adult life. He said the poor performance on probation and the new charges made prison the only option for the court.

“You have built yourself an extensive criminal history and I have to take that into account,” Valenciano said as he addressed the defendant in court.

Olanolan was re-sentenced to the five-year prison term for a 2004 case involving two counts of intimidating witnesses who were to testify against him in another matter. He was also sentenced to a concurrent one-year jail term for a family abuse charge in another case and to 30 days jail for a trespassing charge.

The court granted credit for time served and Olanolan must also complete a domestic violence intervention course.

County Prosecuting Attorney Justin Kollar said the court denied a request for consecutive terms, but he was pleased nonetheless that Olanolan will face significant consequences for his crimes.

“This defendant has created a lot of problems on the North Shore,” Kollar said. “Removing him from the community is unfortunately the only way to ensure public safety.”

County First Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Takata represented the state in court. He recommended consecutive prison terms, calling the defendant’s performance on probation as “abysmal” with behavior that was “irresponsible and immature.”

Court-appointed defense attorney Craig De Costa represented Olanolan in the abuse case. He said the defendant admits he is no angel and needs to address a substance abuse problem.

However, De Costa said the case involved an old relationship that has ended, and that he has a new partner, a young child and a baby on the way who would benefit if he were able to support them. Valenciano said the record of probation violations and criminal contact with law enforcement indicate to the court the defendant does not believe the law applies to him. He said probation is not an option when provisions of past sentencings have made no difference to the defendant.