A man who pleaded guilty to manslaughter after he was accused of intentionally setting a fire at a Pearl City home that killed a 97-year-old woman was sentenced by a judge Tuesday to 35 years in prison.

35-year-old Michael Dahilig will serve at least 11 years and 8 months before a parole hearing.

"I accept responsibility for my reckless and idiotic actions.  I apologize what happened.  If I could give my life for hers, I would," said Dahilig.

The morning after the March 30 fire, Dahilig was seen rummaging through the fire's rubble at Betty Hagihara's home, according to court documents.

"My grandmother was happy, smart and funny," said Ronette Kawakami, Hagihara's granddaughter.  "She did not deserve to die alone on a bedroom floor."

Dahilig also pleaded guilty to three counts of burglary, two of which were at Hagihara's home, and attempted burglary of her home and other crimes.

"At one point Mr. Dahilig was unemployed and making $5,000 a week selling drugs adding undue misery to our society," said prosecuting attorney Keith Kaneshiro.