Big Isle father pleads
guilty to killing his son

Derek Waki Sr. could get 20 years
in prison for the fatal beating

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Star-Bulletin staff

HILO >> A Big Island man accused of beating his 9-year-old son to death last year has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in a plea agreement that could result in a 20-year prison sentence.

Derek Waki Sr., 30, originally charged with murder, entered the plea to the reduced charge yesterday in the death of Derek Waki Jr. The father will be sentenced Sept. 29 by Circuit Judge Greg Nakamura. The plea agreement calls for Waki not to oppose a prosecution request to the judge for a sentence which is double the maximum length of 10 years. Court documents say Waki admitted to hitting his son during a two-month period to discipline him, as well as tying him up at times and not allowing him to go to the bathroom. The boy died of a brain hemorrhage on Aug. 23, 2000.

Waki also pleaded guilty to abuse of a family member, which carries a one-year sentence. Waki's girlfriend, Kuulei Kane, 31, is also charged as an accomplice with murder and abuse of a family member. A trial date for her will be set some time in September, said Deputy Prosecutor Michael Udovic.