A 29-year-old Honolulu man began serving an 18-month prison term this morning for the negligent homicide death of Outrigger Hotels and Resorts manager Ray Kanemori in January.

When he gets out of prison, Elwyn Keomaka, II will be on probation for five years and must also perform 500 hours of community service, at least some of that time with Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

“We will be taking full advantage of this opportunity to fashion a powerful message for others,” said Jennifer Dotson, executive director of MADD Hawaii.

Dotson said this is the first time a state judge has sentenced a defendant to perform community service specifically with MADD.

Circuit Judge Edwin Nacino sentenced Keomaka to the probation, prison time and community service this morning after the prosecutor recommended 10 years in prison and Keomaka’s lawyer asked for probation. Nacino also revoked Keomaka’s drivers license for five years.

Keomaka was driving drunk the wrong way on a one-way street in Waikiki Jan. 18 when his car struck and killed Kanemori. The long-time Outrigger manager had just gotten off work and had entered the street from between two parked cars. 

The state said Keomaka was traveling 29 mph in a 25 mph zone and his blood-alcohol content was 0.12 two hours later. 

State law prohibits anyone with a BAC of 0.08 or higher from operating a vehicle.

Keomaka pleaded no contest to first-degree negligent homicide in August.

His lawyer Howard Luke said Keomaka has not driven or consumed alcohol since Kanemori’s death. And he said it was Keomaka who suggested the community service with MADD.