Sacred Hearts Academy students performed a hula Dec. 7 during the “Star Light, Star Bright” event at the Women’s Community Correctional Center in Kailua. (Photo courtesy Pua Foundation)
By Jennifer Rector
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Women sentenced to prison on Oahu got a chance to embrace their children for a one-day event in honor of the holiday season.
On Dec. 7, a total of 38 caregivers, mothers from the Women’s Community Correctional Center and children of the incarcerated women gathered for food, fellowship, fun and family during “Star Light, Star Bright” at WCCC in Kailua.
For more than 20 years the Diocese of Honolulu has collaborated with the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to host the program, which aims to reunite incarcerated mothers with their children to promote family ties.
Building the in-person mother-child bond was put on hold for several years during the COVID-19 pandemic and as construction took place at WCCC. But the program came back in full force in December 2023.
Thanks to fundraisers throughout the year, neighbor-island families were able to fly in for the one-day event.
“Christmas reminds us we are all belong to a loving family, children of God, sisters and brothers all,” said Father Robert Stark, director of the diocesan Office for Social Ministry.
According to Toni Bissen, executive director of the Pua Foundation, the day began “with the greeting of entering families, and the children running into the arms of their awaiting mothers.”
The Pua Foundation is a nonprofit organization that is a longtime collaborator on “Star Light, Star Bright.”
The 3-1/2 hour celebration was filled with holiday activities like puppet shows, singing, a hula performance and a surprise visit from Santa.
“The families gathered included very young keiki and teenagers as well as dads, tutus and aunties,” Father Stark said. “The volunteers also were all ages including a Catholic school youth group who share their gift of hula and a choir of kupuna nuns — this intergenerational element is a vital part of the special gift of Star Light, Star Bright.”
In all, 30 volunteers and 17 employees from WCCC made the festivities possible.
Tommy Johnson, director of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, told those gathered that events like “Star Light, Star Bright” reinforce the bond between mother and child and allow them to “see that there are other people out there that care about them that want them to succeed.”
He thanked the staff and volunteers for their dedication and hard work organizing the event.
The volunteers included sisters from the Congregation of Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary; Sacred Hearts Academy students; the choir from Mary, Star of the Sea Church in Waialae-Kahala; St. George Church in Waimanalo; St. Ann Church in Kaneohe; and the lay Marianist community at Chaminade University of Honolulu, according to Bissen.
Providing this chance for families to reunite at least for a day is an “opportunity to share God’s love with others,” said a freshman from Sacred Hearts Academy who volunteered the gift of hula for the event.
Father Stark said these families resemble the Holy Family: “Although we are all vulnerable as families, God fully understands that vulnerability and was born as a child very vulnerable among us — in a very vulnerable family. But that shared vulnerability can be transformed through love to be a light of hope that can guide us all, like a bright star through our darkest days.
“‘Star Light, Star Bright’ is an experience of the Christmas gift of ohana aloha that God made possible for all families.”
Bishop Larry Silva said the closing blessing, and Santa and his elf helper passed out presents to families upon their exit from the prison.
“It was truly an event that God’s love was shared by all,” Bissen said.
There are a few ways to support “Star Light, Star Bright.”
Volunteers can sign up to help through the Pua Foundation. For more information, contact Debbie Victor Macalino at (808) 945-3570 or debbie.victor@puafoundation.net.
People can also donate funds to help cover the cost of “Star Light, Star Bright,” including transporting families from the neighbor islands. Donations can be made through the diocese at www.catholichawaii.org/starlight-fund.
