Kalaupapa Hansen’s disease patient Norbert K. Palea can be released on $25,000 bond while awaiting trial on charges of shipping crystal methamphetamine from Oahu to Molokai, U.S. Magistrate Judge Leslie Kobayashi ruled Thursday morning.

Palea, 68, is the youngest resident of the Kalaupapa Hansen’s disease settlement.
According to a criminal complaint filed against him this week, Palea allegedly shipped illicit drugs to Molokai last year and again this year.
Federal drug agents followed Palea during a state-sponsored trip to Oahu Feb. 25 and 26 and allegedly discovered some 18 grams of crystal meth in a box he tried to send to Molokai.
Kobayashi ordered Palea to surrender his passport, undergo drug periodic tests and complete a drug-assessment program.
The $25,000 bond will be signature-only, meaning Palea doesn’t have to post cash with the court but will be liable for the sum if he fails to abide by the terms of his release.
“I don’t want to see you again,” Kobayashi told Palea.