NO. 24376


IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF HAWAI`I



IN THE INTEREST OF JOHN DOE, Born on July 20, 1999.
(FC-S NO. 99-06088)

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IN THE INTEREST OF DOE CHILDREN

JANE DOE, Born on November 6, 1996;
JOHN DOE, Born on June 19, 1998.
(FC-S NO. 99-06111)


APPEAL FROM THE FAMILY COURT OF THE FIRST COURT
(FC-S NOS. 99-06088 and 99-06111)
 

SUMMARY DISPOSITION ORDER
(By: Moon, C.J., Levinson, Nakayama, Ramil, and Acoba, JJ.)

Defendant-appellant Mother appeals from the orders of the family court of the first circuit, the Honorable Paul Murakami presiding, awarding permanent custody and establishing a permanent plan. On appeal, Mother argues that the family court's findings of facts and conclusions of law that Mother was not willing and able to provide a safe home were clearly erroneous.

Upon careful review of the record and the briefs submitted by the parties and having given due consideration to the arguments (1) made and the issues raised by the parties, we hold that the record contains substantial evidence to support the family court's award of permanent custody and establishment of a permanent plan because Mother's long history of drug use and lack of parenting skills supported the family court's conclusion that Mother was not willing and able to provide a safe home. Therefore,

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the family court's orders awarding permanent custody and establishing a permanent plan are affirmed.

DATED: Honolulu, Hawai`i, July 25, 2002.
 

Joseph A. Dubiel
for defendant-appellant

Adina L.K. Cunningham, Deputy
Attorney General, for
plaintiff-appellee

Dean T. Nagamine,
Guardian Ad Litem
 

1.     Oral argument on the merits was heard on July 3, 2002.