Big Island Drug Court Employer Appreciation 2022
Posted on Jun 24, 2022 in Featured News, News & Reports
Judge Wendy DeWeese, Deputy Prosecutor Annaliese Wolf, Atlas Recycling Center Operations Manager Elias Allen, and Deputy Public Defender Rick Macapinlac.
Employment is a vital part of the Hawaii Drug Court strategy to enhance the education, housing, financial stability, and future job prospects of program participants. It is also essential to helping participants provide better support for their families. None of this would be possible without employers who are willing to hire individuals working toward completion of the Drug Court program.
The Big Island Drug Court team showed their deep appreciation to these partners during National Drug Court Month by scheduling site visits to see, firsthand, how employers are helping Drug Court clients earn a second chance at life.
On May 2, the Kona Drug Court Team traveled to Ohana Treatment Center, Atlas Recycling, Lex Brodie’s, Regency Hualalai, and Willie’s Hot Chicken to tour the facilities and learn about the role Drug Court participants play in the success of business operations. Judge Wendy DeWeese, public defenders, prosecuting attorneys, and Drug Court staff presented each employer with a certificate of appreciation.
Deputy Prosecutor Kevin Hashizaki, Drug Court Supervisor Pagan Devela, Judge Peter Kubota, Short and Sweet Owner Maria Short, and Deputy Public Defender Sheri Tavares.
Judge Peter Kubota and the Hilo Drug Court Team closed out National Drug Court Month on May 26 with visits to Short and Sweet, True Value Orichidland, the Neighborhood Place of Puna, and Hawaiian Style Cafe. They learned about the contributions each establishment makes to the community, and how Drug Court clients gain valuable training and skills through their employment.
These East Hawaii employers were presented with a Big Island Drug Court certificate of appreciation.
Hawaii’s Drug Court judges have observed that unemployment is a common factor in drug-related crimes. The Big Island Drug Court therefore requires that all participants be employed, pay taxes, and maintain payments towards their restitutions and fines. Participants have reported that being employed not only gives them the benefits of a more structured life schedule, they gain personal pride in being able to do good for their families. The community also gains from the participants being productive, contributing members of society.
The frequency, intensity, and quality of counseling, support, encouragement, and supervision participants receive in Drug Court helps them to serve as loyal, reliable members of the workforce; drug-free and committed to the success of their employers. This has been especially important to local businesses facing the ongoing labor shortage exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Employers interested in hiring a Big Island Drug Court participant should contact Drug Court Coordinator Grayson Hashida at grayson.k.hashida@courts.hawaii.gov.