Drug courts on Maui and Kauai celebrated the graduations of six people who completed the requirements of their programs this week.

What You Need To Know

  • Drug courts offer those convicted of drug-related offenses the opportunity to enter a drug treatment and recovery program and complete other requirements in lieu of incarceration

  • On Maui, Judge Kelsey Kawano terminated probation or discharged charges for three graduates who completed their requirements

  • On Kauai, Deputy Chief Judge Michael Soong congratulated three graduates for completing their requirements

  • Maui Drug Court has produced 703 graduates over the last 22 years. The Kauai Drug Court started in 2003 and has graduated 273 adult clients

Drug courts offer those convicted of drug-related offenses the opportunity to enter a drug treatment and recovery program and complete other requirements in lieu of incarceration.

On Maui, Judge Kelsey Kawano terminated probation or discharged charges for three graduates who completed their requirements. George Aiwohi, a drug counselor with the Molokai Drug Court, presided over the event, which was attended by family and friends of the graduates.

A member of the previous graduating class, identified only as Kanoe, shared her experiences in recovery-oriented support meetings and encouraged the graduates to stay involved. Kanoe works as a program helper with a treatment provider and has plans to be a substance-abuse counselor.

Maui Drug Court has recorded 1,391 admissions with 703 graduates over the last 22 years.

On Kauai, Deputy Chief Judge Michael Soong congratulated three graduates for completing their requirements. 

Attending the brief ceremony were members of the Kauai County Council and Friends of the Kauai Drug Court, as well as treatment providers and family and friends of the graduates.

The Kauai Drug Court started in 2003 and has graduated 273 adult clients. 

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii.