Despite being sentenced to prison for a drug offense, Honolulu restaurateur Randall "Randy" Spear stood outside the courtroom yesterday feeling grateful that a judge recognized the lifestyle changes he's made over the past five years.

Spear had pleaded guilty to a federal charge of possession with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine; the sentencing guideline in his case was 63 to 70 months in prison and up to a $4 million fine.

However, considering Spear's community service work, the state's awarding him custody of his 5-year-old daughter last year and his being drug-free for five years, U.S. District Judge David Ezra yesterday sentenced the 48-year-old owner of Arnold's Beach Bar & Grill in Waikiki to serve 48 months and one day at a medium-security federal correctional facility in Sheridan, Ore., beginning next Jan. 7.

Spear also was fined $3,500 and will be on supervised release for four years after he is released from prison.

Ezra recommended that Spear be admitted to a federal 500-hour drug treatment program while at the prison.

Forty-eight months and one day reflects sentencing that Spear was more than a minor dealer but also that his actions during the past five years indicated he is not likely to be a repeat offender, Ezra said.

Outside of court, Spear said, "I consider myself lucky ... it's time to go forward."

Completion of the 500-hour program and other factors would give Spear a chance to be released in 27 months, said his lawyer, Michael Green.

Utuloa Langi, manager of the state's "The Next Step" homeless shelter in Kaka'ako, testified yesterday that Spear has been sponsoring and cooking meals regularly twice a month on Sundays at the shelter, where he is known as "the pancake man."

Attorney Richard Hacker testified that Spear has been a caring single parent for his young daughter since her birth. The girl's mother, who was not married to Spear, is not believed to be living in Hawai'i.

Spear was indicted with Michael Robledo and Patrick Briggs for a cocaine drug-trafficking conspiracy investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Honolulu police and the Internal Revenue Service's criminal investigation division.

Spear put up $12,000 to $15,000 to help Robledo buy cocaine in California in 2002. It was shipped to Hawai'i with the help of Briggs, a Matson employee.

"I think I've come a long way in five years," Spear told Ezra before sentencing. " ... Mostly, I'd like to regain the respect of my peers in the community."

Reach Rod Ohira at rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.