Police arrested a 60-year-old man Friday for allegedly selling marijuana at a county beach park in Hilo.
Rodney Keaweehu was charged with single counts of first- and second-degree promotion of a detrimental drug, and two counts of third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug.
According to court documents filed by police, Keaweehu sold an undercover officer an ounce of marijuana for $200 within 750 feet of James Kealoha Beach Park in Keaukaha, also known as Four-Mile beach.
After executing a search warrant on Keaweehu’s moped, officers allegedly recovered 72.5 grams of marijuana packaged for distribution.
The first- and second-degree promotion charges are Class C felonies punishable by up to five years in prison upon conviction. The second-degree promotion charge is a felony because it allegedly happened near the park.
Keaweehu made his initial court appearance Monday in Hilo District Court. Judge Harry Freitas maintained Keaweehu’s bail at $4,500 and ordered him to return at 2 p.m. Wednesday for a preliminary hearing.