State v. Casugay-Badiang.

Opinion of the Court by

MeKENNA, J.

I. Introduction

The sole issue before this court is whether a sentencing court has the discretion to sentence a defendant convicted of violating Hawaii Revised Statutes (“HRS”) § 712-1240.8 (1993 & Supp. 2006) (Methamphetamine Trafficking in the Second Degree)1 under HRS § 706-667 (1993 & Supp.2006) (the “Young Adult Defendants” statute).2 Specifically, the issue is whether the phrase “Notwithstanding sections 706-620, 706-640, 706-641, 706-660, 706-669, and any other law to the contrary,” found in the sentencing provision of HRS § 712-1240.8, overrides…