Retiree’s attacker
gets 25 years

The 70-year-old victim from Waipahu
now lives in a care home

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By Debra Barayuga
dbarayuga@starbulletin.com

The sister of a 70-year-old man assaulted two years ago outside Times Super Market in Waipahu hoped her brother's attacker would be kept behind bars for as long as possible to keep him from hurting others.

The prosecution had argued that Loto Satele's sentence should be extended to a life term based on the multiple offenses he was convicted of and his history of violent behavior.

Yesterday, Circuit Judge Wilfred Watanabe denied the request for an extended term of life in prison and sentenced Loto Satele, 21, to 25 years in prison for beating James Uyeno, then stealing his pickup truck to drive to the Ewa 7-Eleven and rob a clerk of $15.

He also ordered Satele to serve a mandatory 10 years for using a firearm in the holdup and pay restitution of $65,389 for Uyeno's medical bills and continuing care.

Before the February 1999 attack, Uyeno was an active, independent retiree who was always doing things for other folks he lived with at the Waipahu Senior Center, said his younger sister Jean Murakawa.

Today, Uyeno lives in a care home and cannot remember what put him there. He underwent therapy to learn how to eat, talk and walk again, but he needs 24-hour care.

"He's a prisoner in his own body," said Murakawa. "It's so sad to see him like that. He'll never go home again."

Uyeno loved going fishing and crabbing and gave away his catch to seniors since he knew they were on limited incomes. He would assist senior ladies with their shopping and would buy cat food by the case to feed stray cats.

Uyeno was attacked in the early morning hours by two men on bikes in the parking lot of Times Super Market, where he was considered an unofficial night watchman.

Only Satele was charged in Uyeno's assault. Uyeno fell to the ground, hit his head and went into convulsions. Had there not been room in his skull to allow his brain to expand because of the head injury, Uyeno would have died, said Senior Deputy Prosecutor Maurice Arrisgado.

Satele had testified at his trial that he punched Uyeno only once, causing him to fall, but did not intend to kill him.