‘Ohana Ho’opakele

‘Ohana Ho’opakele was founded by kūpuna as an intervention to the disproportionate number of Kānaka Maoli in Hawai’i’s prisons. The hui began this journey by opposing the building of new prisons on Hawai’i Island, and their research illuminated the goal to build a Pu’uhonua (Wellness Center) to provide healing before they returned back into society. Their vision to build Pu’uhonua as healing alternatives to prisons rejects the punitive model, and the hui is working to pass legislation to this end. They feel working with the Hawai’i Correctional System Oversight Commission (HCSOC) is a vehicle to pressure the present prison system to change to a rehabilitative system while building a strong base among the pa’ahao, the ex-pa’ahao, their families, and supporters, and by networking with groups with similar goals.