KEALAKEKUA — The 3rd Circuit Courtroom off Halekii Street was packed, Monday morning, with people as family and friends came to celebrate 11 people and their success in completing drug court.
The 39th commencement ceremony for Big Island Drug Court was the largest graduating class since the court’s inception in 2002.
Drug Court Judge Melvin Fujino addressed the graduates saying in many ways, the process to a clean and sober life is an uphill battle.
“The way forward has been anything but clear,” Fujino said.
However, Fujino commended each of the men and women in the program for working hard.
Hailama Anakalea, 33, of Kealakehe, was one of Monday’s graduates. He entered the program in September 2015. He faced charges of second-degree theft.
He’d been using methamphetamine for nine years. He had spent time in and out of jail and was ready to just go to prison. Then he heard about drug court.
“I learned how to be honest,” Anakalea said. “I was destructive and angry.”
Anakalea said being at drug court allowed him to take off his mask and throw it away for good.
Nicole Hayes, 30, of North Kohala, joined drug court around the same time as Anakalea. Also a methamphetamine addict, Hayes lost her two children and was facing prison time.
Drug court became an option for her.
“I was scared but I was ready to get my life back,” Hayes said. “I was up for the challenge.”
When she first started, Hayes said, she wanted to go home to her boyfriend, Adam Harrison Jr.
Instead, she was sent to the Bridge House where she was able to stay clean and sober.
Now, Hayes has her two children back in custody, she and Harrison are together and she is going to school to be a probation officer.
“I’m so grateful for the program. I have my life back and I can be an asset to the community,” Hayes said.
Drug court team members and staff all addressed the graduates. They offered their congratulations, support and encouragement for their accomplishment.
Officer Scott Dewey told the graduates they now have the tools and skills to lead clean and sober lives.
“When you start using, you stop growing,” Dewey said. “You don’t lay down roots…But now you guys are flourishing.”
Since drug court’s inception, 234 people have graduated from the program.
Monday’s graduates are: Herbert Anakalea, Myles Arthur, Kimi Bento, Terry Lynne Guerpo, Nicole Hayes, Kahulaaona Kalili-Jones, Allen McShane, Taei Mu, Roberta Ramos, Donna Soares, Jeffrey Valera