More jail time ordered for man found with meth after traffic stop

Judge opts for jail over probation after man fails to comply on parole

WAILUKU -- A man who spent most of the past two decades in prison was sentenced Tuesday to another two and a half years of incarceration for possessing methamphetamine found after a traffic stop last year.

Patrick Hanato, 50, of Wailuku had asked to be released from jail and placed on probation for less than the usual four years for the crime.

In imposing the prison sentence instead, 2nd Circuit Judge Peter Cahill said, "He has spent the majority of the last 22 years in prison and he failed on parole almost every single time. How do I not only give him probation but even shorter time on probation?"

Hanato had pleaded no contest to third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug.

He was arrested after a traffic stop after 9 p.m. Feb. 11, 2021, when a police DUI Task Force officer saw Hanato driving a vehicle with a defective headlight, expired safety sticker and delinquent auto tax, on Piilani Highway in Kihei.

Hanato had slurred speech and bloodshot eyes and couldn't perform field sobriety tests, police reported. In the center console of the vehicle, the officer reported seeing empty packets commonly used for narcotics as well as a sponge commonly associated with injecting narcotics.

Hanato previously was sentenced for driving under the influence of drugs in connection with the arrest.

Deputy Public Defender Zach Raidmae said the judge could impose a shorter prison term than the standard five years for the charge.

"We're talking about a small bag of meth," Raidmae said. "It really is a shame to see somebody go to prison for more than a couple of years."

Hanato said he was "very, very sorry for this misunderstanding."

"I am scared straight," he said. "I don't want to do any more time. I learned my lesson. I know what I have to do to make it right for everyone, especially myself. Shame on me for not complying."

Noting that Hanato previously had spent five- and 10-year periods in prison, Cahill said the defendant had a lot of practice making such pleas at sentencing hearings.

"You've had that chance over and over," Cahill said.

He said Hanato had paid his debts when he completed his prison terms. "You've also demonstrated an inability to comply with the law, even in this case," Cahill said.

He said Hanato missed checking in while he was released on supervision and didn't show up when he was set to be sentenced in March.

"You've had every book imaginable thrown at you and nothing's worked," Cahill said. "I don't think anything's going to work."

Hanato, who has already spent a few months in jail, also is facing revocation of his probation in cases on Hawaii island, Cahill said.

Court records show Hanato is on probation for second-degree burglary and third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug in 3rd Circuit Court cases.

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