Ex-law man’s
drug death shocks
family, colleagues

The death of a one-time Hawaii parole board chairman from crystal methamphetamine use surprised former colleagues who remember him as a dedicated public servant.

Marc Vincent Oley, 60, was found unresponsive at home on Christmas and was pronounced dead later that day.

Oley died from bronchial asthma "due to or as a consequence of (the) effects of crystal methamphetamine," according to a report signed by Honolulu chief medical examiner Dr. Kanthi De Alwis.

"I'm stunned," said First Deputy Sheriff Frederick "Cappy" Caminos. "He was always fair and attentive. ... He carried himself as a professional."

Oley, a former Honolulu police officer, served as a Hawaii Paroling Authority board member starting in July 1983. In 1984 he became board chairman and served until June 1991.

He later served as a special project coordinator with the Department of Public Safety from July 1991 to December 1994. He also served as an administrator for the Sheriff's Division in early 1992 and 1993.

The report said Oley had a "history of asthma, depression and possible crystal methamphetamine use." It said he "had been complaining of asthma attacks" and was using the asthma drug Albuterol. Traces of methamphetamine, amphetamine and pseudoephredine were found in Oley's system.

Honolulu attorney Eric Seitz, who knew Oley for years, said: "Marc was very sweet. I don't know anybody that didn't like him."

He said the family declined to comment as they grieve.

"This caught his family by surprise," Seitz said of the report. "They want to remember him in as positive light as possible."

Keith Kamita, administrator of the state Narcotics Enforcement Division, said he was surprised to hear about the report but noted that the drug has affected people from all walks of life.

"Methamphetamine has ruined a lot of good people's lives," said Kamita. "He was one of the unfortunate casualties of this drug.

"It shows that anybody can get in trouble with this drug. He was a highly respected law enforcement officer," he noted.