A state judge sentenced a 51-year-old Waikiki man to 20 years in prison Wednesday for manslaughter in the 2010 death of the man’s ex-girlfriend.

Kevin Dale was originally charged with murder in connection with the Jan. 15, 2010, death of 33-year-old Christi Hokoana, but pleaded guilty in January to manslaughter in a deal with the prosecutor. Twenty years is the maximum penalty for manslaughter. He also pleaded guilty to violating a court order to stay away from Hokoana.

Dale has already served more than seven years behind bars. The Hawaii Paroling Authority will decide whether he needs to spend any more time in prison.

The case dragged on as Dale’s first lawyer withdrew over legal conflicts. His second lawyer withdrew over differences. There were other delays as Dale underwent examination for his mental fitness to stand trial and over the availability of prosecution witnesses.

During that time three of four people who at one time had legal authority to make decisions on behalf of Hokoana’s family died, including Hokoana’s uncle Rockwell Hokoana. He was the person who filed the request for the restraining order against Dale on behalf of his niece, for whom he was legal guardian. And prosecutors were having difficulty convincing the medical examiner who conducted the autopsy to make herself available for trial after she had taken a job on the mainland.

Dale said Wednesday that he did not intentionally kill Hokoana.

“I loved Christi very much. I made judgment errors that day and beforehand. Christi and I had planned on getting married but she told me she was scared to tell her family because she said that they would get mad,” he said.

Layne Silva, Hokoana’s aunt, said her niece was a happy person who was beloved by her fellow Goodwill Industries employees. She told Dale, “My family and I will forgive you for what you’ve done to our niece. I know where she is and I know that you will be punished.”

Honolulu police said Dale told them that he and Hokoana went to his apartment Jan. 9, 2010, after running into each other at Ala Moana Center. He said they got into an argument over Hokoana’s new boyfriend and that Hokoana fell and struck her chin on a table.

A neighbor told police she heard Dale yell, “You’re in love with someone else,” then loud banging and thumping sounds coming from Dale’s Ala Wai Boulevard apartment and pounding noises on the wall and floor.

Dale called a friend who told police she found Hokoana lying on the floor nude, asleep and “snoring.”

“She was in his apartment with someone else, all three mentally challenged,” said Michael Green, Dale’s third lawyer.

A doctor at the Queen’s Medical Center said Hokoana suffered injuries to her head, which eventually killed her, at least a few hours before an ambulance transported her in critical condition to the hospital.

The doctor also said Hokoana had a cut to her chin and bruises on her arms, shoulders and hips.

Police found traces of blood on the door, carpet and a chair in Dale’s apartment.

Hokoana arrived at the hospital in a coma and never regained consciousness. She died six days later.