The father of Hawaii teenage golf pro Tadd Fujikawa began serving a minimum one-year term of a 10-year prison sentence yesterday for methamphetamine trafficking.

“;I hope and pray that people can learn from my mistakes and not let crystal meth take control of their lives,”; Derrick Fujikawa said.

Fujikawa, 45, was facing two counts of first-degree methamphetamine trafficking for selling the drug to an undercover police officer on two occasions last year.

He pleaded guilty to second-degree methamphetamine trafficking in February in a plea deal with the state.

The first-degree charge carries a mandatory 20-year prison term, of which an inmate must serve at least two to eight years before gaining eligibility for parole.

  Fujikawa Sentenced For Drug Charges

 

Today, the father of a local golf phenomenon faced a judge to learn how long he'll spend in prison.

[ Watch ]

 

The second-degree charge carries a mandatory 10-year term, of which an inmate must serve one to four years before gaining eligibility for parole.

In either case, the Hawaii Paroling Authority can set a higher minimum.

Circuit Judge Steven Alm said he imposed the one-year minimum because Fujikawa took responsibility for his actions and sought out and completed drug abuse treatment on his own prior to yesterday's sentencing.

“;This is just another example of how drugs continue to dominate the court system,”; Alm said.

Fujikawa apologized to his family and friends for the embarrassment and heartache he caused them and thanked them for their support.

His wife and son were not in court for yesterday's sentencing. Tadd Fujikawa was en route home from a tournament in the Netherlands.