HILO, Hawai'i — The adult son of one of the Big Island's most famous war heroes was sentenced to five years in prison yesterday for felony convictions that included drug possession and domestic abuse.

Kaumana resident Wayne Okutsu, 54, was sentenced to five years each for felony abuse of a family or household member, and for violating a protective order in connection with an attack on his wife, Marie. He was also resentenced to concurrent five-year terms for terroristic threatening, drug promotion and drug paraphernalia convictions from a 2004 case.

Okutsu is the son of the late Yukio Okutsu of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in combat in Italy in 1945. The state's first veterans' home, a brand-new 95-bed, long-term-care facility in Hilo, was named in honor of the elder Okutsu.

William Heflin, Wayne Okutsu's lawyer, said Okutsu has been "in denial" about his drug problem, and that five years in prison would give him an opportunity to cope with his addiction.

Okutsu told Circuit Judge Glenn Hara that he takes responsibility for the offenses and said he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. "I am embarrassed for the fact that I have done these things, and hurt my family, and hurt the family name," he said.

Deputy Prosecutor Mary Ann Hollocker said Okutsu was given an opportunity to avoid prison, but his probation in the older case was revoked after he was arrested on new charges this year and tested positive for methamphetamine.

Hollocker said Okutsu has been arrested seven times in the past four years for domestic abuse, and was arrested 21 times in the past five years for violating a protective order.

"He never changed his behavior, and now he's in a new relationship with another woman, and he's done the same thing," Hollocker said.

She asked Hara to sentence Okutsu to consecutive sentences that would put him in prison for 10 years to demonstrate the community will not tolerate abusive behavior. Hollocker said she doesn't know if Okutsu will change while he is in prison, "but it gives the community 10 years to be safe."

Hara instead opted for concurrent five-year sentences in the cases. The Hawai'i Paroling Authority will set a minimum term that Okutsu must serve before he can be considered for parole.

Reach Kevin Dayton at kdayton@honoluluadvertiser.com.