A family reunites yards away from a wall topped with razor wire at the first annual “Sun Light, Sun Bright,” summer reunion for women inmates and their children at the Women’s Community Correctional Center in Kailua, July 27. (Photo courtesy of Bernadette Baraquio)
By Patrick Downes
Hawaii Catholic Herald
It was a beautiful day. The first annual “Sun Light, Sun Bright,” summer reunion for women inmates and their children at the Women’s Community Correctional Center in Kailua, July 27, sponsored by the diocesan prison ministry, was filled with hugs and kisses.
According to event coordinator Toni Bissen, 16 inmate mothers were reunited with 34 children from Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island. Also participating were 15 caregivers of the children, 38 volunteers from within and outside the correctional facility, and five facility staff.
“The day was full of fun, food and fellowship, hugs and kisses, hand holding and dancing,” Bissen said, “relaxed like a backyard family barbecue.”
Activities included a water balloon toss, a puppet show and arts and crafts. There was even a voluntary massage therapist who gave 10-minute rubdowns to caregivers in her special massage chair.
The four Neighbor Island families enjoyed a weekend of activities including a Friday night pizza party. They were housed at St. Stephen Diocesan Center, and all meals and ground transportation were provided.
The day was an extension of “Star Light, Star Bright,” the correctional facility’s mother and child reunion Christmas party also sponsored by the diocese each December for the past 20 years.
The event was made possible by donors and volunteers from 10 Catholic churches, Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace; Mary, Star of the Sea; the Mystical Rose Oratory Marianist Community; Our Lady of Good Counsel; St. Anthony, Kailua; St. John Vianney; St. Patrick; St. Philomena; St. Pius X; and St. Stephen.
Fifteen-year-old Kahelani Numazawa-Pacanas, right, “shares” her hair with her mother, Cheri Numazawa, who temporarily lost hers to chemotherapy. (Photo courtesy of Bernadette Baraquio)
The Knights of Columbus provided ground transportation and high school seniors from Sacred Hearts Academy helped with the arts and crafts.
Bissen’s husband, Dane Shinto, is the event’s chairman.
The love flows two ways, said Bissen. “The volunteers were just as blessed by helping out that day as were the families participating.”
Right before their goodbyes, everyone got in a big circle and said one word that expressed what the day meant to them, like “family,” “love” and “aloha.”
After everyone sang “Hawaii Aloha,” it was time to say goodbye.
There were lots of tears, said Bissen, even among the volunteers.
The children each left with a backpack filled with school supplies, a goodie bag with sweets and a $20 gift card from Walmart. Each caregiver also received a goodie bag and a $30 Walmart gift card.
According to Hawaii Department of Public Safety, there were 255 women inmates as of June 30. Many of them have adult children or no children.
There are four other days where children can visit, Bissen said, but only the two diocesan-sponsored events bring in neighbor island families, include caregivers, and allow “hugs and kisses.”
