WCCC HOSTS ʻOHANA DAY FOR INCARCERATED WOMEN AND FAMILIES

KAILUA, Hawaiʻi — Incarcerated women embraced their family members as they reunited at the Women’s Community Correctional Center Maunawili Cottage courtyard for a Christmas-themed gathering.

The Women’s Community Correctional Center (WCCC) hosted the “Star Light, Star Bright” ʻOhana Day event for approximately 40 inmates and more than 70 family members and loved ones Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.

The Puʻa Foundation and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu’s Prison Ministry sponsored the three-hour event thanks to donations. The donations also helped support flight expenses to Oʻahu for more than a dozen families from the neighbor islands.

The organizations have been working with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (formerly the Department of Public Safety) for more than 20 years to help incarcerated mothers reconnect and maintain bonds with their keiki.

For today’s event, the organizations helped reunite incarcerated women with their ʻohana. It’s all about family, said Puʻa Foundation Executive Director Toni Bissen. “It’s important to have this opportunity to eat together, to have fun together in this festive time,” she added.

Facility staff and volunteers decked the Maunawili Cottage courtyard with a Christmas tree, festive garland, balloons and streamers. Holiday music filled the air as inmates played with their children and spent quality time with their loved ones.

Approximately 50 adults and more than 20 children, including three grandchildren, attended the family event where they enjoyed a visit by Santa Claus, a puppet show, arts and crafts and wholesome family activities.

Shave ice, popcorn and cupcakes were also served to families.

Inmates and their ʻohana also enjoyed a catered lunch of glazed ham, rice, macaroni and cheese with little smokies (small smoked sausages) and salad.

Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Director Tommy Johnson thanked facility uniformed and non-uniformed staff, community partners and volunteers for their hard work organizing the event.

“ʻOhana Day reminds those in our custody and care what’s important — family connections and reunification,” Johnson said.

Studies show that family support is a key factor in reducing recidivism for justice-involved individuals.

WCCC Warden Ione “Noni” Guillonta said, “Events like ʻOhana Day promote positive interactions and boosts morale.”

Bishop Larry Silva of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu also visited inmates and their families, bringing blessings to the event. “Christmas is a very special time of year and we want it to be special for them so we bring their families and have a little gathering and celebration so they too can have some joy at Christmas time,” Silva said.

Families and children left WCCC with holiday gifts and framed family photos with Santa.

ʻOhana Day photos, courtesy of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, are available at the following link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Efu3Kv02IMwaAgvAa7HJ3-9137nodRbn?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