WAIAWA CORRECTIONAL FACILITY HOSTS RESOURCE FAIR FOR INMATES

HONOLULU — The Waiawa Correctional Facility (WCF) hosted a resource fair for more than 150 inmates on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, to help them prepare for reentry into the community.

This is one of two fairs the facility hosts annually to assist inmates with reentry. The Waiawa Correctional Facility has hosted resource fairs for over 25 years.

WCF collaborated with the Hawaiʻi Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) Reentry Coordination Office, Hawaiʻi Paroling Authority (HPA) and the nonprofit Transforming Lives for Thursday’s event.

DCR Director Tommy Johnson, DCR Deputy Director Sanna Muñoz of the Rehabilitation Services and Programs Division and WCF Warden Sean Ornellas were among the honored guests who attended the event.

Each fair provides inmates an opportunity to gather useful information from multiple agencies and organizations in one spot. At today’s event, more than 35 vendors were available with actionable information on support services such as housing, job readiness programs, healthcare and other services.

Director Tommy Johnson thanked facility staff, the Reentry Coordination Office, HPA and Transforming Lives for organizing the event as well as their tireless efforts assisting inmates prepare for reintegration into the community.

He also thanked all the vendors for their unwavering support. “We value our partnerships with community organizations that play a critical role in our goal to reduce recidivism,” Johnson said.

Inmates who participated in the fair are eligible for parole or slated to complete their sentences within a year.

Agencies and organizations that participated in the resource fair included Waikiki Health, TEAM (Teach, Educate, Advocate and Motivation) WorkHawai’i, Ke Ola Mamo, American Job Center, Keiki O Ka ʻĀina Family Learning Centers, New Start Discipleship and more.

In recent months, the Hālawa Correctional Facility and the Hawaiʻi Community Correctional Center – Hale Nani Facility also hosted resource fairs.

The Women’s Community Correctional Center plans to host a fair in the fall. It will be the facility’s second resource fair since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Footage and photos of the event, courtesy of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, are available in the following link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1dQpyM5sxlcw_THZpLqnMBwx6DBtHZm–?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