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Fathers at the Waiawa Correctional Facility were given the chance to celebrate Father’s Day with their families on Sunday. The Oahu prison hosted the annual Father’s Day – Keiki Day in collaboration with Keiki O Ka Aina Family Learning Centers (KOKA) for 21 fathers, 44 children and grandchildren, and 25 caregivers, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) said. “Events such as Keiki Day help fathers maintain their bond with their children, as the men will one day reenter the community and reunite with their families,” said DCR Director Tommy Johnson. Johnson thanked the facility staff, volunteers, and inmates for their hard work organizing the Hawaiian-themed event. “Events like today do three things: they help reduce recidivism, they strengthen the bonds between the children and their dads, and they help dads be successful when they transition back into society,” said KOKA Executive Director Momi Akana. For more than three hours, fathers spent time with their families talking, playing games, arts and crafts, and learning the tradition of poi pounding. “Kui kalo practitioners recently visited the correctional facility to teach fathers the tradition of poi pounding,” Akana said. “For the children to learn kui kalo from their fathers and connect to the Hawaiian culture is wonderful.” Last year, Waiawa Correctional Facility and KOKA began collaborating in Keiki Day events. The nonprofit has worked with the Women’s Community Correctional Center for over 20 years, and also worked with the Halawa Correctional Facility for its first Keiki Day event in April. “When you see a day like today and the family connections, there’s nothing but love and happiness happening out here,” Akana said. DCR said the day ended with a water balloon challenge. Copyright 2025 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved. (fb)