Police seek
more indictments
for drugs

One of those arrested
in Friday's sweep falsely
claimed to be a member
of a popular music group

By Debra Barayuga
Star-Bulletin

Police are seeking indictments against two more people identified as selling drugs in a notorious "drug triangle" in Kalihi that resulted in a massive drug bust Friday.

So far, 10 of 11 people indicted for peddling drugs within 1,000 feet of Kaiulani School and the nearby Mayor Wright Housing are in custody.

On Friday, 11 of 33 buyers also arrested were charged outright with third-degree promotion of dangerous drugs, including a 32-year-old Makiki man who falsely claimed he was a member of Palolo, the popular contemporary Hawaiian music group.

No members of the group were arrested or involved in the drug dealings.

The suspect who claimed to be a member of Palolo was Manuel Nitullama, of Matlock Avenue. He remains at Oahu Community Correctional Center, unable to post $11,000 bail.

An officer apparently thought Nitullama looked familiar and asked him if he was with the group Palolo.

"I don't know if he just fed off that," said Kalihi Maj. Stephen Watarai, who was trying to sort out the misunderstanding.

Nitullama, after questioning yesterday, admitted to police that he did represent himself the night of his arrest as "Chino" Montero and that he played for the group Palolo, but gave his real name as Nitullama.

He even made a phone call from Kalihi station that night to an unidentified party saying he "couldn't make the gig," Watarai said.

Nitullama's explanation of the events: "I was pretty confused that night," he told officers, but added that he had played for another musical group.

The real Chino Montero, 36, whose real name is David M. Montero and who plays guitar for the five-man group, was on a flight to a gig in San Francisco when the busts occurred.

Upon his return to Hawaii on Sunday after performing with other island entertainers at the annual Celebration of Aloha, Montero was stunned to hear someone had been posing as him.

"I think he (Nitullama) needs help," said Montero. "I think it's dumb he used my name -- it's not even my real name." Chino is a nickname given to him by his father.

Palolo's manager, Roy Sakuma of Roy Sakuma Productions Inc., who produced the group's two CDs in 1995 and 1997, said he contacted each of the members, who "flatly denied" involvement in Friday's drug bust. "They don't understand how their name Palolo got out there," Sakuma said.

The other band members are Troy Fernandez, on ukulele, formerly of the popular duo Ka'au Crater Boys; Nathan Nahinu, on rhythm guitar; drummer Paul Caris; and bass player Daniel Baduria. All grew up playing music together as 11- and 12-year-olds in Palolo; hence the name.

While the situation at first seemed "hilarious," Montero said it does bother group members that children who look up to them may have received the wrong message.

The group has visited schools, spreading the message that there's No Hope in Dope. "It makes us look hypocritical," he said. "But it's OK as long as people know the truth; we're accounted for, and we don't go that route."

As for their fans: "If you see us on the street, come up and say 'Hi.'"

Star-Bulletin apologizes The Star-Bulletin reported incorrectly Saturday that one man arrested in last week's Kalihi drug sting was a member of the popular Hawaiian music group Palolo. No members of Palolo were arrested or involved in the drug operation. According to police, one of the men arrested had falsely claimed that he was a member of Palolo. The Star-Bulletin apologizes for the error.