High praise from the court

LIHUE — A Kauai judge praised an Anahola man Tuesday during a hearing after reviewing the progress he had made while on conditional release.

“It’s very clear that you’re doing very well,” Fifth Circuit Court Judge Kathleen Watanabe told Michael T. Martin. “Something tells me that your daughter has a lot to do with it. You’re doing well at home. You’re helping with your grandkids. You’re working full time.”

Martin, who has 11 grandchildren, told The Garden Island that his daughter, an attorney, has had a tough-love kind of attitude with him.

“She is everything to me,” the 55-year-old said. “She’s my helping hand. She’s my power of attorney. She’s told me she’s going to throw me in jail if I don’t get my act together when I was all drugged out.”

Martin said that with the help of his daughter, he has been working hard for the past three years to turn his life around.

He was able to show the court the alcohol anonymous and narcotic anonymous records, as well as other treatment programs records he’s attending. He is also a Sunday school teacher at a church, he told the court.

Dr. Keith Claypoole with the Hawaii Department of Health told the court Martin had acquired a full-time job.

“He’s doing as well as we have ever seen him do,” Martin said.

Claypoole said Martin had made significant progress in his case especially if one considers the case as a whole.

Martin has done so well, his treating physician took him off of his medications, Watanabe noted.

“Mr. Martin I want to commend you for the great progress you have made,” Watanabe said. “You have been coming before the court for a long time now. I don’t think you can wish for a happier birthday and to be in the place that you are currently at.”

Martin was picked up by police in 2011 and charged with promoting a dangerous drug in the third degree and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.

After spending time in jail and in treatment for mental health, Martin was acquitted of all charges and placed on conditional release.