the community newspaper for east oahu since 1987
New Hope Prison Ministry Team in action
at Camp Agape for inmate children in Hawaii

Mission Team Brings Spirit of Aloha to Hawaii Inmates on the Mainland

Archived November 2007 article

A team of 30 volunteers, including some Hawaii Kai residents, is headed to Arizona to bring the spirit of aloha to 2,000 Hawaii inmates at the Saguaro Correctional Center, a facility built specifically for Hawaii inmates. The mission, spearheaded by Spirit of Aloha Outreach and New Hope Christian Fellowship Prison Ministry, is to establish a productive relationship with correctional center management; to minister aloha to the inmates; and, most importantly, to connect inmates with their families via video teleconferencing. Through this program, inmates will be able to have regular video visitations with their children and families. The goal of these virtual visits is to strengthen family units and transform broken and estranged relationships typical of imprisonment.

Prison Ministry Chaplain, Roy Yamamoto, a former inmate, has laid the foundation for this outreach. "God's vision for this event has given me my purpose: to remember Hebrews 13:3. ‘Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.'"

In that spirit, team participants Dominick Kaaihue, Kapua Keolanui, Julia Arias, Kim Matsukawa and Willy Rol will spend five days at the center conducting church services, Bible studies, and small group sessions with the inmates. The outreach week will culminate with a luau where each inmate will receive a care package of socks, toiletries, kakimochi and other local goodies.

Community support is a vital part of the success of this project. Participation opportunities include: sponsorship packages for the Hawaiian Islands MotorFest fundraising event on November 3 at Kaka`ako Makai Gateway Park 10AM to 4PM; donation of "local goodies" for inmates; and monetary donations for travel expenses.

Call (808) 842-4242 ext. 405 for more information or visit www.thespiritofaloha.org