INCARCERATED FATHERS REUNITE WITH THEIR KEIKI TO CELEBRATE FATHER’S DAY
HONOLULU — At Waiawa Correctional Facility (WCF), inmate John T. Granger’s face lit up as he enveloped his 14-year-old son in his arms once the teen stepped out of a shuttle van at the facility recreational field Sunday morning.
The 40-year-old father then wrapped his arms around his 9-year-old son, hugging him tightly as he kissed the top of his head.
The Waiawa Correctional Facility hosted Father’s Day – Keiki Day event in collaboration with Keiki O Ka ʻĀina Family Learning Centers (KOKA) for 21 fathers, 45 children and grandchildren and 25 caregivers Sunday, June 22, 2025.
Nearly 20 volunteers and 16 facility inmates assisted at the Hawaiian-themed event.
For more than three hours, fathers spent quality time with their families talking, playing games, arts and crafts and kuʻi kalo (poi pounding).
Kuʻi kalo practitioners recently visited the correctional facility to teach fathers the tradition of poi pounding. For the children to learn ku’i kalo from their fathers and connect to the Hawaiian culture is wonderful, said KOKA Executive Director Momi Akana.
Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Director Tommy Johnson said, “Events such as Keiki Day help fathers maintain their bond with their children, as the men will one day reenter the community and reunite with their families. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation supports family reunification.”
Johnson also thanked facility staff, volunteers and inmates for their hard work to organize the event.
During Keiki Day, families also enjoyed an ʻono lunch of kalua pig, lau lau, lomi lomi salmon, smoked meat, and haupia. Poi from the kuʻi kalo session that fathers and keiki participated in was also served at lunch.
Akana described Sunday’s Keiki Day as one of the biggest Keiki Day events at a Hawaiʻi correctional facility that she has seen.
Keiki O Ka ʻĀina Family Learning Centers has been involved in Kid’s Day events at the Women’s Community Correctional Center for more than 20 years. In 2024, the Waiawa Correctional Facility and KOKA began collaborating on Keiki Day events. This year, the Hālawa Correctional Facility and the non-profit organization worked together on the facility’s first Keiki Day event in April.
“When you see a day like today and the family connections, there’s nothing but love and happiness happening out here,” Akana said as Hawaiian music from a portable stereo system filled the air.
“Events like today do three things: they help reduce recidivism, they strengthen the bonds between the children and their dads, and they help dads be successful when they transition back into society,” she added.
Keiki Day ended with a water balloon challenge at the recreation field where fathers and children smiled and laughed as they became soaked in water at the burst of balloons.
Photos and videos are available at the following link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1c_j5ScRZwWLvHVIXeqqcTVpQM6OofSco?usp=sharing.
Media contact:
Rosemarie Bernardo
Public Information Officer
Hawaiʻi Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Office: 808-587-1358
Cell: 808-683-5507
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://dcr.hawaii.gov