HONOLULU — At the Women’s Community Correctional Center (WCCC), inmate Aliana Akana excitedly ran toward her four-year-old son and yelled out his name when she spotted him in the facility’s Maunawili Cottage courtyard.

The rosy-cheeked child immediately ran toward Akana when she picked up her son, both hugging each other tightly.

The Women’s Community Correctional Center, in collaboration with Keiki O Ka ʻĀina (KOKA) Family Learning Centers, hosted a Kids’ Day event Saturday, May 3, 2025, for 12 mothers, 19 children and 13 caregivers to celebrate Mother’s Day.

Nearly 20 KOKA volunteers decorated the Maunawili Cottage courtyard with pastel-colored balloons, flower decorations and Mother’s Day banners for the event. Volunteers also organized arts and crafts and fun-filled games for families.

During the three-and-and-a-half hour celebration, mothers and their keiki took family photos together, played soccer and volleyball and participated in games that included a doughnut eating contest and water balloon toss. Children also made special Mother’s Day cards for their moms and created floral bouquets with flowers donated by Watanabe Floral, Inc.

Five women at the facility prepared and served shave ice and popcorn for families during the event. Mothers and their keiki also enjoyed a barbecue lunch of hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, cole slaw, assorted fresh cut fruits topped with whipped cream, cupcakes and cookies.

Director Tommy Johnson of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation greeted the mothers, children, facility staff and volunteers at the event. “Today’s Kids’ Day event to celebrate Mother’s Day promotes rehabilitation for the women and fosters healthy relationships between mothers and their children,” Director Johnson said. “We are here to support mothers and help them maintain a strong bond with their keiki.”

Both Johnson and WCCC Warden Ione “Noni” Guillonta thanked facility staff and volunteers for their dedication and hard work to organize Kids’ Day. “Their dedication is unmatched,” Guillonta said.

Before the event ended, volunteers gave each child a bag of new toys that were donated by KOKA and community partners.

Executive Director Momi Akana of Keiki O Ka ʻĀina Family Learning Centers said, “The bond between a mother and child is boundless. Today is all about providing a future and hope for both mothers and their children.”

Photos and videos of the Kids’ Day event are available here.

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Media Contact:
Rosemarie Bernardo
Public Information Officer
Hawai‘i Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Office: 808-587-1358
Cell: 808-683-5507
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://dcr.hawaii.gov