‘Just don’t do it,’ man told in threatening case sentence

Judge Loo went ‘old school,’ ordered Manibog to write 100 times he’ll not harass family

WAILUKU -- As part of his sentence for repeatedly threatening and contacting family members in violation of a court order, a man has been ordered to put in writing a promise not to harass them 100 times.

"We're going to be old school about this," 2nd Circuit Judge Rhonda Loo said in sentencing Edward Manibog. "Back in the day, when you were naughty in school, your teacher made you write on the blackboard."

She ordered Manibog, 51, to write in longhand "in your best handwriting" the phrase "I promise that I will not harass my family" 100 times within 100 days of his sentencing Wednesday.

In eight criminal cases, Manibog had pleaded no contest to three counts of first-degree terroristic threatening, nine counts of violating an order for protection and harassment by stalking of family members from September 2017 to January.

In court Wednesday, Manibog's cousin said she had thought of him as a brother.

But after Manibog continually called her and her partner, she said they put up security cameras and let their dogs run loose in their yard "because of him threatening to kill us."

"This is something very hurtful for me because all I ever did was tried to help Edward whenever he needed," she said. "We knew he had a drug problem prior and only wished we could help him get in a program. We paid for trips for him. My mom would pay for clothes for him. I took him to a job interview."

"It is a sad case because this is family involved," said Deputy Prosecutor Jeffery Temas. "But sometimes family members take advantage of other family members."

Deputy Public Defender Ben Lowenthal said a report prepared for Manibog's sentencing "shows a person who is in need of help."

While Manibog has significant past convictions, Lowenthal said letters from his employer described him as hardworking and skilled. Manibog, who now lives on Oahu, has a second job making T-shirts and stickers, Lowenthal said.

When he's not working, Manibog is with his wife and spends "a lot of of time at church," Lowenthal said.

"Hopefully, the catalyst that caused him to do what he did is extinguished," Lowenthal said.

Judge Loo said stickers and designs that were shown to the court reflected Manibog's creativity.

"But I'm sure you're aware of the Nike slogan, 'Just do it,' " Loo said. "In your case, it's the opposite. Just don't do it. Just don't text, don't email, don't harass. Just don't call.

"I don't know why a 51-year-old would bother sending these kinds of mean, hurtful emails and texts to family members who tried to help you when you were at your lowest," Loo told Manibog.

She noted that one restraining order that family members obtained against Manibog was for 10 years and would be in effect until Sept. 25, 2027.

Manibog was given credit for about four months he had previously spent in jail and was placed on four years' probation. He was ordered to perform 200 hours of community service, obtain mental health treatment and complete anger management classes.

* Lila Fujimoto can be reached at lfujimoto@mauinews.com.