A Honolulu man will spend at least a decade behind bars for killing a teenager over a girl and jewelry. However, the victim’s family is furious.
Circuit Judge Shanlyn Park sentenced Nainoa Damon, 22, to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the shooting death of 18-year-old Ha’aheo Kolona.
On March 18, 2022, Kolona and a group of teens were at the Lookout at Round Top Drive on Tantalus when Damon tried to rob them. The victim tried to stop the defendant when the defendant shot him to death.
"My brother was killed by Nainoa, who wanted to look cool in front of his friends -- all over a chain and a girl," said the victim’s sister, Kawena Kolona, according to Island News.
During the sentencing hearing, Kolona’s father, Blake Kolona, told the judge Damon was a troubled man who thought he was cool and wanted to act like a gangster. Hence, he asked the judge to sentence the defendant to life without the possibility of parole, which would have been the maximum penalty.
On the other hand, Damon’s grandmother spoke about the defendant as a caregiver to his grandfather and how he struggled as a youth. Then, she asked the judge to show mercy.
The judge obliged, stating Damon's age at the time of the crime and that he had no prior criminal record.
Kolona’s father, who brought his son’s ashes to court, was outraged at the sentencing and believed Damon got the sentence because his mother and stepfather were officers of the Honolulu Police Department.
“15 years good behavior, he’s out. I’m sorry. I’m sorry for my rudeness right now, but that’s unacceptable,” he said. “I’m unhappy with the system and I question corruption 100 percent,” said Blake Kolona, reported Hawaii News Now.
The defendant will be eligible for parole after serving 15 years in prison.
At the time of his demise, Kolona was a senior at St. Louis School.
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