Judge Henry Nakamoto  (left), Friends Board Member Michelle Manalo (right) and BIDC Parole Officer Dustin Cueva (back) distribute beverages and food at a Gift Basket Drive-Through in early 2021.

our mission, vision & Values

Our Mission
To support Big island Drug and Veterans Treatment Court participants with community resources, and to seek and acquire funding to assist with program goals.

Our Vision
Every participant lives an alcohol- and drug-free lifestyle and becomes a successful individual within our community.

Our Values

• Honesty
• Accountability
• Integrity
• Care
• Compassion

our history

     The Big Island Drug Court (BIDC) is a specialty court program designed to address community problems related to substance abuse in order to minimize their societal costs, and protect the Hawai'i Island community by providing effective treatment for justice-involved youth and adults.  It was started in 2002 following extensive research by then Judge Ronald Ibarra and community leaders. While the evidence-based drug court model was successful across the nation, they had concerns about BIDC’s funding and the community’s response to substance use offenders not going to prison.
     In response, Judge Ibarra and a team including community leaders such as Barry Taniguchi, CEO of KTA Superstore, and then attorney Peter Kubota formed Friends of Big Island Drug Court, Inc. (FOBIDC/"Friends"), as a separate 501(c)3 in 2003 to secure funds and assist in the creation of BIDC. 
     BIDC has since become established, and includes the Veterans Treatment Court (since 2014). Friends continues to raise needed funding and volunteer support, and is managed by its volunteer Board of Directors. Members represent a range of stakeholders in the justice system, including Drug Court graduates, a retired judge, an attorney, a psychologist, a veteran, a nonprofit finance officer, and leaders from related organizations and the community. The Board works closely with Mr. Grayson Hashida, Drug Court Coordinator, who liaises with Drug Court judges and his team to identify needs and suggest programmatic responses.

what is drug court?

An Overview by retired Third Circuit Court Chief Judge Greg Nakamura

     Since its start in 2002, BIDC, including the Veteran Treatment Court, has served over 650 adult participants from all communities in Hawaii County through its two facilities in Hilo and Kona. The Hilo facility serves 70 adult participants and 4 veterans. Individuals convicted of crimes due to underlying issues of substance abuse and mental health problems are referred to BIDC only if they are evaluated as being high risk and high need, using a standardized assessment tool, and are non-violent offenders. Of the 650+ total participants, 348 have successfully graduated, 90% of whom have not been convicted of new felonies, tracking for three years after graduation. 
     An alternative to incarceration, BIDC provides a supervised program with treatment and rigorous standards of accountability. The long-term outcomes are that

1. participants sustain health, livable employment, appropriate housing, and positive relationships with their families and communities; and that
2. they make continued progress with their drug recovery and do not commit future crimes or re-engage with the judicial system.

Each participant is assigned a probation officer, who functions like a case manager in coordinating care, assisting in accessing benefits and services, and providing intensive supervision. Frequent court appearances and random and mandatory drug testing, combined with prompt sanctions and incentives, encourage compliance and completion.
     The complexity of the problem of crime and drugs requires a multidisciplinary approach. BIDC relies upon collaboration among key parties in the criminal justice system, including the judicial system, law enforcement, substance abuse treatment agencies, health care providers, social services, mental health interests, and the public.

10 Key Components of Drug Courts

Every Drug Court program is defined by 10 Key Components set by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP). Read the full document.

1. Drug courts integrate alcohol and other drug treatment services with justice system case processing.
2. Using a non-adversarial approach, prosecution and defense counsel promote public safety while protecting participants' due process rights.
   
3. Eligible participants are identified early and promptly placed in the drug court program.
4. Drug courts provide access to a continuum of alcohol, drug, and other related treatments and rehabilitation services.
5. Abstinence is monitored by frequent alcohol and other drug testing.
6. A coordinated strategy governs drug court responses to participants' compliance.
7. Ongoing judicial interaction with each drug court participant is essential.
8. Monitoring and evaluation measure the achievement of program goals and gauge effectiveness.
9. Continuing interdisciplinary education promotes effective drug court planning, implementation, and operations.
10. Forging partnerships among drug courts, public agencies, and community-based organizations generates local support and enhances drug court program effectiveness.

our logo

The logo of Friends of Big Island Drug Court communicates the heart of what we strive to provide to our community:

• The black, stormy background represents the chaos and brokenness of substance abuse and crime, and their impact on the lives of individuals, families and communities.
  
• Red is the color of Hawai`i Island, and the nurturing hands represent the support of our broad Drug Court and Island communities, including the health care providers, social services, mental health services, the judicial system, law enforcement, substance abuse treatment agencies, educational institutions, faith-based organizations, families and local communities.
  
• 'Ohia are among the first plants to take root and flourish after a lava flow, and the yellow lehua is the color of courage. The shape also resembles the rising sun, symbolizing the hope and potential of our future.