Arraignment set for Oahu man accused of attempting to smuggle pot

Probable cause has been found to try a 30-year-old Honolulu man accused of attempting to smuggle about 26 pounds of marijuana Sunday on a Southwest Airlines flight from Kona to Honolulu.

Kona District Judge David Harada-Stone made the ruling Wednesday in the case of Malakai John Mikaele, following a preliminary hearing.

Harada-Stone ordered Mikaele to appear June 6 for arraignment and plea before Third Circuit Chief Judge Wendy DeWeese in Kona.

Mikaele and his girlfriend, 29-year-old Napua-Kuuipo Aumua-Yamamoto of Hauula, Oahu, were arrested Sunday at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole.

Mikaele was charged with first-degree commercial promotion of marijuana and first-degree promotion of a detrimental drug.

The commercial promotion of marijuana charge is a Class A felony that carries a potential 20-year prison sentence. The promotion of a detrimental drug charge is a Class C felony with a maximum five-year prison term.

According to court documents filed by police, the Hawaii Police Department was notified by Transportation Security Administration officers at the airport that the marijuana was found in 22 vacuum-sealed bags inside a garbage bag contained in a Home Depot box checked in under Aumua-Yamamoto’s name.

Police conducted interviews with the suspects, and Mikaele claimed responsibility for the marijuana.

Aumua-Yamamoto was released on her own recognizance, according to a police log, which suggests she also was charged — although she hasn’t appeared in court, nor does her case yet appear on the state Judiciary website.

Mikaele, who has no prior criminal record, is free on $50,000 bond.

Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.