Hawaii crime ring enforcer sentenced to 14 years in federal racketeering case

Norman Akau previously plead guilty to racketeering and cooperated with prosecutors against his late boss.

by Jeremy Yurow, Courthouse News, May 6, 2025

HONOLULU (CN) — Norman Akau III, a former union board member who founded a Kaneohe-based motorcycle gang and served as an enforcer for the late Honolulu businessman Michael J. Miske Jr., was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison Tuesday.

The sentencing marks the latest chapter in the federal government's dismantling of what prosecutors call the "Miske Enterprise," a criminal organization they say operated in Hawaii from the late 1990s through 2020 under Miske's leadership.

During Miske's trial, prosecutors argued the enterprise engaged in murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, chemical weapons attacks and various financial crimes.

Akau, 52, appeared in custody as Chief U.S District Judge Derrick Watson reviewed his conduct and rejected a defense request for a five-year term. The court weighed both his cooperation with prosecutors and what the judge described as his attempts to "play both sides" during the trial of his former boss.

"The defendant should be thrilled to get anything of value for what he did," Watson said, citing Akau's efforts to assist prosecutors while also trying to "thwart the government's prosecution."

According to federal prosecutor Michael Nammar, Akau's role in the Miske enterprise included impersonating a police officer, carrying firearms as a convicted felon, and accepting contracts to commit murder. Nammar told the court Akau showed a "complete lack of moral compass" during his four years with the organization.

"If not for intervention by others, he would have killed [Victim 12]," Nammar said, referring to a union official who was the target of a foiled murder-for-hire plot.

Watson highlighted three incidents in particular: the armed robbery of a drug dealer while dressed as law enforcement, the planned killing of Victim 12, and a separate murder contract involving a man Miske blamed for his son's death — the latter of which Akau ultimately did not carry out.

"The uncontroverted testimony is that this defendant was the trigger man," Watson said, recounting testimony that Akau had waited outside Penny's Diner, prepared to shoot Victim 12, before being stopped by Miske's second-in-command, Wayne Miller.

Akau's attorney, Ramiro Flores Jr., argued that his client's cooperation was undercut after privileged communications with his previous attorney were inadvertently disclosed. Flores emphasized that Akau still offered critical testimony that helped convict Miske, including details about a plot to kidnap — and potentially kill — another associate. 

"This was probably the number one most important crime the government wanted to ensure Miske was convicted of," Flores said.

Having been in custody for nearly five years already, Akau addressed the court directly to express remorse:

"I am truly sorry for all the hurt and harm that my actions have caused. I accept full responsibility for my actions. In the past, I made poor decisions that brought me here today," Akau said. "What I've learned, seen, and experienced has taught me that time is incredibly precious — but it can also be cruel. Once it's gone, there's nothing you can do to get it back."

Akau's sentence includes three years of supervised release. Watson waived a fine and restitution, instead imposing a $100 special assessment. He also recommended that Akau be placed at a facility with access to the Residential Drug Abuse Program, vocational and educational training and mental health treatment.

Miske, who was convicted in July 2024 on racketeering and murder charges, died in custody in December from a suspected fentanyl overdose. He faced a likely sentence of life in prison. The court vacated his conviction in February.

Federal prosecutors have secured guilty pleas from multiple members of Mike's inner circle, including Harry Kauhi, John Stancil, Jason Yokoyama, Dae Han Moon, Preston Kimoto and Jarrin Young — all of whom were named in the original indictment.

Only one co-defendant, Lance "Hammah" Bermudez, has yet to be sentenced. His hearing is scheduled for July.

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ILind: Norman Akau sentenced to serve nine more years in federal prison for his role in Miske Enterprise | i L i n d