The teenager who started a series of events that led to the death of a 58-year-old man from a punch to the head would have been eligible for parole next year had a state judge followed the prosecutor's sentencing recommendation.

But rather than order Benjamin Pada to serve the maximum 10-year prison term for second-degree robbery and five-year term for second-degree assault at the same time, Circuit Judge Steven Alm ordered Pada to serve the two terms back to back.

As a result, Pada will not be eligible for parole until May 2014.

The Hawaii Paroling Authority set Pada's minimum at three years for the robbery and three years for the assault. They are added together because Alm ordered Pada to serve the prison terms consecutively.

Deputy Prosecutor Charlene Ikeda said she did not ask Alm to stack the prison terms because she thought the 10 years for the robbery was sufficient. She said she is disappointed Pada will be eligible for release without having to serve the full 10 years for the robbery.

Pada admitted that he kicked a Kaneohe Marine in the head on Waikiki Beach and stole his girlfriend's purse May 18, 2008. Pada was 18 years old at the time.

The Marine chased Pada and got into a fight with him and Pada's friend Kelii Acasia on Kalakaua Boulevard. After the Marine got his girlfriend's purse back and turned to walk away, Pada struck him in the head with a wrench.

Witnesses told police that when Ned Nakoa Jr. attempted to intervene, Acasia punched him in the head, severing an artery in his neck.

A state jury found Acasia, who was 19 at the time, guilty of manslaughter.

Alm sentenced him to 20 years in prison.

The parole board has yet to set the minimum amount of prison time Acasia must serve before gaining eligibility for release on parole.