HONOLULU -- Friday was an historic day for treatment of the mentally ill in Hawaii.

Federal Judge David Ezra dismissed the civil rights lawsuit that had kept the state mental hospital under court supervision for 13 years. The judge said the state had proven it was able to treat patients effectively and humanely.

Advocates for the mentally ill agree.

"We did improve a lot compared to before. Before it was like the 'One Flew Over the Coocoo's Nest' kind of thing. But now, it is so much greater," patient advocate Ellen Awai said.

The patients' advocates said they believe the hospital will continue to do well as long as top administrators stay on the job. The judge urged the state to maintain current financial support of the hospital.

The state's plan for community care outside the hospital remains under the court's supervision.