Posted on: Wednesday, October 22, 2003

Man sentenced to two life terms

By David Waite
Advertiser Courts Writer

A 35-year-old O'ahu man was sentenced yesterday to two life terms in prison with the possibility of parole for a crime spree last year that left one person dead, another critically injured and a third fearing for her life.

Markes Rapozo, who pleaded guilty in July to the killing, told Circuit Judge Marie Milks yesterday that he was responsible for the shotgun slaying of Earl Hirakawa on March 6, 2002, on North Vineyard Boulevard and the nearly fatal shooting 10 days later of Su Chin Pak, owner of GH Pawn, Camera and Gold Exchange during an armed robbery.

Rapozo also admitted robbing Bailey's Antiques and Aloha Shirts on Jan. 18 last year.

"I did the crimes and will do the time," Rapozo said.

He then told Milks that he committed a number of other crimes and knows of others who were involved in murders but who were never charged.

But he would not provide names or other details, saying he did not want to be "a rat."

Rapozo arranged to meet Hirakawa at the Pali Longs store under the pretense of buying drugs, stole the drugs from Hirakawa and fled in a car. Hirakawa chased him and was shot in the head with a shotgun when he pulled up next to the car in which Rapozo was riding.

The pawn shop owner was shot after he pulled a gun on Rapozo while Rapozo was robbing the store. Rapozo's gun misfired and he was able to wrest two guns away from the store owner and shoot him twice. The owner was in a coma for two months and was taken to South Korea to be cared for by family members.

City Deputy Prosecutor Christopher Van Marter said after the hearing that Rapozo had been convicted previously of eight felonies, has spent most of his adult life in prison and has no known occupation.

In addition to the life sentences, Rapozo was sentenced to a 20-year term and two 10-year terms.