Kaneohe man gets 30 years for killing childhood friend

Makuola Collins didn’t say anything to the parents of childhood friend Joel Botelho when he was sentenced in state court Thursday for the killing of his former Castle High School teammate and star quarterback.

Collins, 33, had already had a private conversation with Botelho’s parents in August after he pleaded guilty to manslaughter for the fatal January 2011 shooting and agreed to a 30-year prison term.

Circuit Judge Karen Nakasone Thursday formally sentenced Collins to the 30-year term — 20 years, the maximum penalty for manslaughter; and 10 years, the maximum for carrying a firearm without a permit.

Nakasone also ordered Collins to pay $3,422 restitution for Botelho’s funeral. Defense lawyer Nelson Goo said Collins has already paid most of it.

Nonohe and Chris Botelho thanked Nakasone for letting them speak with their son’s killer three months ago.

“I think this in some small way gives an example of how restorative justice can really work when two parties are willing to do that. Because no conviction could have given me a confession,” Nonohe Botelho said.

Collins and Botelho grew up in the same neighborhood in Kaneohe, were classmates since elementary school, played youth baseball and football together and were co-captains on Castle high School’s football team, on which Botelho was a star quarterback.

According to trial testimony, the shooting happened in the early morning after a barroom confrontation between Collins and Botelho’s younger brother Leon.

Chris Botelho said Thursday, “Maku, thank you also for asking for that opportunity and letting us hear things that we needed to hear to bring some healing and closure.”

The Botelhos asked Nakasone not to prohibit Collins from speaking with them while he serves his sentence.

Because a firearm was used to commit the manslaughter, Nakasone ordered Collins to serve at least 10 years of his sentence before he can be eligible for parole. The Hawaii Paroling Authority can set a higher minimum.

A jury had found Collins guilty in December 2011 of murder but the conviction was overturned on appeal.