Habilitat, Inc. celebrated its 40th Anniversary on January 27, 2011. Habilitat started from humble beginnings when it was created by Vinny Marino in 1971, in a two bedroom house in Kailua. Since its inception Habilitat has moved to a one-acre estate overlooking beautiful Kaneohe Bay, and has grown to become one of the most successful long term substance abuse programs in the nation. Forty years is a milestone for any organization, especially a self-supporting, non-profit, therapeutic community, such as Habilitat.
Habilitat accepts people from all walks of life. Since 1971 the organization has helped over ten thousand individuals. Habilitat is unique among substance abuse programs in that it does not subscribe to the conventional theories of addiction. Instead of focusing on the idea that addiction is a disease, residents are taught that substance abuse is a choice, and are given a unique and highly effective method of treatment. Habilitat emphasizes on behavioral modification rather than simply treating the "addiction". In addition to the behavioral modification, residents receive education and vocational training in one of several departments.
While Vinny was the Executive Director he appeared on many nationally syndicated television programs such as: The Larry King Show, The Sally Jesse Raphael Show, The Oprah Winfrey Show as well as many other national television and radio news shows. In addition to television and radio, Vinny published three books; "Vinny", "Vinny Part Two" and "Journey From Hell". He received accolades and commendations both personally and professionally from nearly every elected official in Hawaii. He was invited to speak at numerous conferences on substance abuse and was a member of various committees on the subject of drugs and drug abuse. Many of the "recognized authorities" in the field of rehabilitation, including Julio Martinez (Commissioner of Substance Abuse in New York) conferred the highest possible honors upon Habilitat and rated it in the top of the nation among substance abuse programs. After Vinny's death in 2000, his wife Vickie took the helm and continued Habilitat's legacy of helping people, until she too passed away on Thanksgiving Day 2002. Today the traditions started by Vinny and Vickie are carried on by Executive Director Daniel Katada and Facility Director Jeffrey Nash. In recent years Habilitat has enjoyed resounding success in the field of rehabilitation, continuing to boast success rates nearly three times the national average at the five year mark after graduation. The fundraising endeavors have seen their share of success as well. Among other things, Habilitat has grown to become one of the leading Christmas tree distributors in Hawaii, with all proceeds going directly back into the program.
Habilitat is a one-of-a-kind organization that has helped to change many lives around and reconnect families.