The 58th graduating class of the Big Island Drug Court was honored on October 11 at the Keahuolu Courthouse in Kona. The seven proud graduates were praised by Third Circuit Chief Judge Robert D.S. Kim and Kona Drug Court Judge Wendy DeWeese (pictured above third from right) for their hard-won accomplishments. Read full article.
Keoni Barr said he is ready to be the person he knows he can be after successfully completing the Big Island Veterans Treatment Court program.
He told judges, court staff, family, and friends that he was struggling in life when he began the program, but thanks to their never-ending support, he got the confidence to get himself back on track. Read full article.
The Big Island Drug Court (BIDC) celebrated the achievements of three graduates in Hilo at a special courtroom ceremony on August 29, 2019. Each was presented with certificates of commendation and recognition by representatives from the offices of U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, and U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. Read full article.
First row, far right: Third Circuit Chief Judge Ronald Ibarra and Drug Court Judge Melvin Fujino celebrate the Kona Drug Court’s largest graduating cohort with 11 successful program graduates. (Photo: Hawai`i State Judiciary) Kona Drug Court held its 39th Graduation Celebration on May 8 in the Kona Courthouse. The courtroom was filled with friends, family, and court personnel who came to celebrate the success of the 11 individuals who completed the intensive treatment program. This was the largest single group for any graduation since the Big Island Drug Court’s inception in 2002. ... May is National Drug Court Month, which celebrates the many benefits drug courts bring to our communities through the successful treatment of drug offenders. According to national statistics, treatment courts such as the Big Island Drug Court save thousands of dollars on each participant who would have otherwise been incarcerated or on probation. Moreover, court treatment programs reduce crime and drug use in communities, and program participants are less likely to commit future crimes. Read full article. On October 29, 2015, five Big Island Drug Court graduates were celebrated for successfully completing the program. Pictured (on the left) is the presiding Hilo Drug Court Judge Greg Nakamura with the graduates. One of the graduates gave a short speech, in hopes to encourage her fellow graduates, as well as the current Drug Court participants, on their road to recovery. Read full article.
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