The 26th Maui Family Drug Court graduation on March 23 was bittersweet as it marked a milestone for graduates, and also signaled the end of the program due to budget constraints.

The graduation was held virtually on Webex with the graduates and some Maui Family Court staff socially-distanced in the courtroom. 

Maui Family District Court Judge Adrianne Heely welcomed everyone, giving Drug Court team members the opportunity to wisdom and accolades to the graduating class.

Napua Greig, who was proud and touched that a family member was graduating, made a special appearance. She sang and danced hula, accompanied on the ukulele by Damon Williams.  [ View the Performance ]

Stakeholders who worked with the participants in their quest to turn their lives around included prosecutors and public defenders, social workers, guardian ad litems, deputy attorneys general, therapists, treatment center staff, counselors, family, and friends.

The program was started in 2005 to help parents break the cycle of addiction, child abuse, and neglect through monitored service delivery.

Despite the conclusion of the Family Court Drug Court, families will continue to get support and services from the court social workers and Department of Human Services Child Welfare Services team.

Maui Family Drug Court would like to thank Paul Tonnessen and the Friends of the Children’s Justice Center, the community, and contracted providers for all their support over the years. 

The program was created by Judge Douglas S. McNish, who retired before it came to fruition.  Other judges who worked closely with the program over the years include Judge Geronimo Valdriz Jr.,  Judge Keith E. Tanaka, Judge Lloyd A. Poelman, and Judge Heely.