Aloha,
2025 was a year of momentum, courage, and collective action. At Hawaiʻi Friends of Restorative Justice (HFRJ), we continued to grow a community committed to healing harm, expanding opportunity, and reimagining justice in Hawaiʻi.
From celebrating parole completion at Aliʻiōlani Hale to expanding educational opportunities for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women to training new Huikahi Reentry Circle facilitators and advocating for housing and prevention over incarceration, our work remains rooted in human dignity, reconciliation, and community-led solutions. We also spoke out — locally and nationally — when policies and practices strayed from our shared values of justice and compassion.
This report reflects what is possible when community members — advocates, educators, donors and more — work side by side. Mahalo for being part of the HFRJ community and affirming that transformation, both personal and systematic, is within reach.
Leela & Lorenn
ACHIEVEMENTS & GOALS MET IN 2025
1. 16 th Annual Parole Completion Celebration at Ali’iolani Hale
2. Hawai‘i Reentry Simulation: Addressing Barriers to Life After Incarceration
3. Huikahi Reentry Circles Facilitator Training
4. Running Club at the Women’s Prison
5. Academic Scholarships for Formerly and Currently Incarcerated Women
6. School to Prison Pipeline Research
7. IMUA FOR JUSTICE 5K RUN/WALK: Moving Together for Justice
8. Keeping Students in School, Not on a Path to Incarceration
9. Community Talks & Support
10. Advocating for Housing & Needs that Keep People Crime Free, not a Billion Dollar Jail
11. Speaking out Against Atrocities: Open Letter to POTUS, et al, on Caribbean Sea Killings
12. Continuation of Family Law Clinic at Women’s Prison
DETAILS OF 2025 ACHIEVEMENTS
1. 16th Annual Parole Completion Celebration at Ali‘iolani Hale
On March 27 th about 60 participants attended this annual event at the beautiful Hawai‘i Supreme Court, Ali‘iolani Hale. Many highly inspirational people who were discharged from parole, along with their loved ones, attended. Additional participants included Chief Justice Recktenwald, Federal and State court judges Leslie Kobayashi, Shanlyn Park, Trish Morikawa (herself an honoree), City & County of Honolulu prosecutor Steve Alm, and others who came to congratulate those who were discharged from parole, those who are role models for others on parole, and to also thank all the people who assisted them. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the 2025 event, recognizing that it especially benefits Native Hawaiians who are disproportionately incarcerated in Hawai‘i. And Mazie Hirono’s office prepared lovely certificates for each of the honorees:
Kimmy Takata – Restorative Justice Model Reentry Award. Kimmy’s remarkable resiliency, her hard work and her sense of compassion helped her overcame extreme childhood hardship, learn to read as an adult, earn A’s as a graduate student in Administration of Justice, and land a job as an analyst of the corrections system.
Molly Keane – Jackie Young Social and Restorative Justice Award. Molly has been a reliable and consistent education resource for the incarcerated at the Women’s Community Correctional Center (WCCC). Her kōkua has been instrumental in assisting women as they work to become more educated in prison and successfully reenter the community. Like the late Jackie Young, for whom this award is named, Molly’s work has assisted countless, mostly disadvantaged, women.
Trish K. Morikawa – Patti Lyons Social and Restorative Justice Award. Hawai’i Circuit Court for the First Circuit Judge Morikawa is known for supporting those reentering the community after incarceration and especially for her invaluable work in helping to create the Hawai’i Women’s Court. The latter is a therapeutic jurisprudence approach to assist women in the criminal legal system.
2 Keoki Dudoit, MOKA Movers – Restorative Employer Award. Mr. Dudoit and his business were honored with this award and our community’s gratitude for supporting people on parole with employment, being supportive of their parole conditions, and assisting those on parole in their overall needs during community adjustment.
John Dudoit, Discount Hotel Furniture – Restorative Employer Award. Mr. Dudoit and his business were honored with this award and our community’s gratitude for supporting people on parole with employment, being supportive of their parole conditions, and assisting them in their overall needs reentering the community. Mahalo too to Kathy Neizmen for her work with both of the Dudoits’ businesses.
Kate McClory – Russ Takaki Restorative Justice US Probation Officer Award. Ms. McClory was honored for her efforts in reentry, the Lokahi Court for select post-conviction clients; the Interactive Journaling program, a client survey, which provides an opportunity for clients to give feedback about the supervision process; and for taking responsibility for the procurement of transitional housing as well as addressing other client needs under Second Chance Act funding. Her dedication, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to her clients have made a lasting impact on her office.
Lyn Lamoreaux – Russ Takaki Restorative Justice Hawai’i State Parole Officer Award. Ms. Lamoreaux was nominated by her office for this award because of her enthusiasm to assist, guide and direct parolees to make positive choices beneficial not only to the agency but the community as well. She consistently conveys information clearly and listens actively, demonstrating strong communication skills. Ms. Lamoreaux’s qualities make her an exceptional Parole Officer.
2. Hawai‘i Reentry Simulation: Addressing Barriers to Life After Incarceration The Reimagined Reentry Simulation Project was provided on June 13, 2025 in collaboration with others, including the provider Penn State’s Restorative Justice Initiative and the Hawai‘i Judiciary Center. The project is dedicated to improving reentry outcomes by fostering collaboration among policymakers, practitioners, educators, and community advocates. This initiative offered an experiential learning environment for participants to examine systemic barriers and advance strategies for enhancing support structures for individuals transitioning from incarceration to community life. While it builds on other reentry simulation models, this project incorporates real-world insights and lived experiences to ensure its relevance and impact. Originally designed by the U.S. Department of Justice to create awareness of the challenges returning citizens face, the simulation has been modified by the Penn State Restorative Justice Initiative with support from the American Institute for Research Technical Assistance Grant.
3. Huikahi Reentry Circles Facilitator Training Ten participants completed a rigorous nine month facilitator training on the Huikahi Reentry Planning Process that applies restorative and solution-focused approaches. In addition to a 16-week online interactive solution-focused course, a three-day in person training on the model’s application was held. Following these two sections of the training, live circles were provided in person and via zoom for the trainees to observe and apply their newly learned skills. Additional weekly online sessions debriefing the circles and doing mock enactments were also held. HFRJ collaborated with WorkNet, Inc., a long-time prison service provider, to scale up and provide the circles after June. This milestone brings us one step closer to building a stronger, more supportive community. We are grateful for the Hawai‘i legislature, which funded this project through a state Grant-In-Aid, and for Representative Linda Ichiyama’s strong support.
4. Running Club at the Women’s Prison Running Club occurs Fridays, 9 – 10 AM in a quad at the Kailua prison, and a new club was started for women in the prison’s Ho‘okipa Honors Dorm. An average 12 women meet with coaches and some of the imprisoned women who are being trained as peer running coaches for the Friday session, and about 8-10 meet at the Ho‘okipa session. We received and delivered 20 donated sports bras and 20 pairs of both new and gently used running shoes to the prison, thanks to Tracy Young of Punahou School and several others. We have three regular coach/volunteers to assist at the two sections of the running club at the prison.
5. Academic Scholarships for Incarcerated & Formerly Incarcerated Women Five women who were formerly incarcerated at WCCC received cash scholarships for the spring and fall semesters. Part-time college students who earned six credits were eligible for $500 and full-time students $1000, provided they have at least a 3.0 GPA. One woman graduated with her social work bachelor’s degree in the spring and completed the first of her two semesters for an MSW from the University of Hawai‘i School of Social Work. Another woman received her master’s degree in administration of justice; and one completed her junior year this year. Three women with long sentences are also receiving HFRJ scholarships with free courses and books to complete a bachelor’s degree from Colorado’s Adam State University. All three women are progressing toward their degrees.
6. School to Prison Pipeline Research Research on the school to prison pipeline in Hawai‘i started in 202. Two dedicated volunteers have worked on this research since its inception: Kalae Millikan and Willow Pfahl. They are both Portland University seniors who have worked on the project since its inception. The research and a report on outcomes is expected to be completed assistance in 2026.
7. IMUA FOR JUSTICE 5K RUN/WALK: Moving Together for Justice
On December 6, more than 50 people participated both in person and virtually in HFRJ’s first Imua for Justice 5K Run/Walk. It was a joyful morning at Kaka‘ako Waterfront Park filled with movement, laughter, encouragement, and a strong sense of community. Funds raised through the event help provide college scholarships for incarcerated women, support women who have been harmed by domestic violence, and expand opportunities for Kalihi youth. Nine women imprisoned women in HFRJ’s running club in the Ho‘okipa honor’s dorm at WCCC participated virtually in the Imua for Justice 5K. They could not participate in person due to a scheduling conflict with an important family event at the prison.
8. Keeping Students in School, Not on a Path to Incarceration
HFRJ continues its long-standing work with public schools to reduce reliance on suspension and other exclusionary discipline practices that push students out of classrooms and into the school-to-prison pipeline.
HFRJ is working on two related but distinct efforts:
1) The development of statewide information for Hawaiʻi public schools on alternatives to suspension
2) Proposal for a pilot restorative project in two Honolulu public schools to:
– Increase attendance by both students and staff
– reduce referrals for student misbehavior
– strengthen schools’ capacity to respond to challenges without relying on exclusion.
We worked on a state funding request for the two-school pilot and continued conversations with legislators about the importance of investing in prevention rather than punishment
9. Community Talks, Support & Papers Ian Crabbe, HFRJ’s vice chair, participated on a panel for the Judiciary History Center of Hawaiʻi discussing domestic violence and restorative justice (RJ). Lorenn provided information to students studying RJ in the US and other countries, submitted testimony for HFRJ on state legislation, worked with educators to provide RJ and solution-focused programs for schools, and other groups and individuals. Lorenn also attended conferences in Cyprus and Chicago as a keynote speaker. She completed two sections for an international encyclopedia on restorative justice—one on the current state of restorative justice in Hawai‘i and the other on restorative apologies. Lorenn, Leela, Midori Rankliff and Hannah Humphreys (both former HFRJ interns) also submitted a paper on the education pilot project at the women’s prison. This transformational three-year project demonstrated an over 1000% increase in the number of women (from two to 23) obtaining GEDs at the women’s prison. The paper is being peer reviewed and a decision to publish by the journal is expected in 2026.
10. Advocating for housing & needs that keep people crime free, not a new BILLION dollar jail
HFRJ continued to advocate for state policies that prevent incarceration by addressing its root causes, chief among them the lack of stable, affordable housing. HFRJ is urging state leaders and legislators to reconsider these priorities and to direct public resources toward housing, prevention, and community-based solutions that reduce harm before it occurs. Preventing homelessness prevents incarceration. Our public funds should reflect that truth.
11. Speaking out against atrocities in our name: Open Letter on Caribbean Sea Killings
Hawaiʻi Friends of Restorative Justice wrote and obtained local and national co-signers on an open letter to the President of the United States, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of State, and all members of Congress condemning U.S. military operations in the Caribbean Sea that have resulted in bombing small boats and the deaths of over 100 people to date. The open letter calls for an immediate halt to these killings, full congressional oversight under the War Powers Resolution, and public disclosure of the legal basis and human impact of these violent operations.
12. Women’s Community Correctional Center Family Law Clinic Marianita (Nita) Lopez, Esq., a highly respected long time family law attorney, has taken over supervision of the family law clinic HFRJ provides at the women’s prison. It serves about one hundred women a year for a variety of family law needs, including powers of attorney, divorces, etc. Ms. Lopez took over for Dawn Slaten, Esq., who supervised for about 10 years. The Hawai‘i State Bar Foundation has supported the clinic for the last few years.
GOALS FOR 2026
1. Continue working with Hawai‘i public schools in creating “whole restorative schools” and provide statewide information on restorative alternatives to suspension.
2. Establish a scholarship for Kalihi youth in Lisa Contreras Jensen’s name.
3. Collaborate with Hawai‘i Federal District Court to provide a reentry project.
3. Provide 17 th Annual Parole Completion Celebration.
4. Continue the Family Law Clinic at the women’s prison.
5. Provide scholarships to formerly and currently incarcerated women who successfully complete a semester of college earning at least nine credits.
6. If needed, revise and re-submit paper on the higher and continuing education project at the women’s prison; identify a publisher for interview of Elliot Aronson about democracy and cooperation.
7. Prepare and distribute report on school to prison pipeline research in Hawai‘i.
8. Continue advocating that the State of Hawai’i find alternatives to constructing a new BILLION dollar jail on O‘ahu, and help educate public on alternatives.
9. Learn about other innovative work outside Hawai‘i on reentry and rehabilitation and continue sharing HFRJ’s work.
2025 EXPENDITURES AND REVENUE
Revenue – $236,970 Expenditures – $186,472
Respectfully submitted:
______________________________ Leela Goldstein, PhD, HFRJ Chair &
______________________________ Lorenn Walker, JD, MPH, Volunteer Executive Director,
Hawai‘i Friends of Restorative Justice
January 15, 2026
P.O. Box 3654 • Honolulu • Hawai’i • 96811 • Phone: (808) 218 – 3712 www.hawaiifriends.org