Claude Kaukini Kaaiakamanu, 29, was convicted of beating Alberto Estiamba so severely that his face was broken and unrecognizable.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge James Brandlin, who presided over the nonjury trial, ordered Kaaiakamanu back to court May 9 for sentencing. He faces a maximum of 10 years in prison.

The petty officer 2nd Class, his wife, young twins and grandmother were on vacation and visiting Estiamba on March 15 when the beating occurred.

Both men said they had been drinking and neither remembered what happened.

Kaaikamanu, of Pearl City, said he'd had six beers and four shots of whiskey.

Estiamba, a cancer patient, had a blood-alcohol level of .236, three times the legal limit to drive in California.

A partial fingerprint on the whiskey bottle matched Kaaiakamanu and blood on the bottle matched his uncle's, according to testimony. Blood on Kaaiakamanu's sock matched Estiamba's DNA and showed his nephew likely kicked him in the face, Deputy District Attorney Michael Gargiulo said.

Estiamba suffered a broken jaw and other facial fractures.

Kaaiakamanu's attorney, Matthew Fletcher, argued that Estiamba's injuries were consistent with a drunken fall.

After the verdict, family members and supporters from both sides cried.

Outside of court, Janelle Schooley, one of Estiamba's four children, said, "Justice prevailed."