Parole Completion Celebrations

A link to a paper regarding Parole Completion Celebration programs by Judge Leslie Kobayashi and Lorenn Walker: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2700728

The Parole Completion Celebration honors those being discharged from parole, and those who especially assisted people on parole or who are involved in the system, by being exceptional role models, social justice advocates, parole officers, and parole officers.

17th Annual Parole Completion Celebration Awards

April 6, 2026

Ali‘iolani Hale, Honolulu, Hawai‘i

Gloria Kwon — Restorative Justice Model Reentry Award Graduate Student, MSW expected May 2026, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, School of Social Work

Since release from prison, while working full time at a grocery store, Gloria earned her bachelor’s degree in 2025. She will complete her Master of Social Work in May 2026. She didn’t do it alone. People in her corner believed in her before she believed in herself and showed her, in her own words, “the true meaning of friendship.” Gloria says her greatest accomplishment isn’t the degrees it’s her new perspective on life. That shift is what made everything else possible. We celebrate Gloria Kwon who is an exceptional hard worker and role model.

Jamee Mahealani Miller —Patti Lyons Social and Restorative Justice Award Ekolu Mea Nui co-founder

Jamee’s path to this work began with Queen Liliʻuokalani, a leader who endured imprisonment, the loss of her kingdom, and immeasurable suffering, yet held on to hope and chose love for her lāhui. That legacy drew Jamee to social work, including an early role at the Queen Liliʻuokalani Children’s Center. When her son was incarcerated, her direction shifted from serving individuals to transforming systems. Jamee builds programs today where families reconnect with each other, Hawaiian culture, and ʻāina—including acquiring land where people coming home from incarceration are welcomed not with shame, but with love and purpose. “I knew this work mattered when I saw families begin to heal together, when someone who had been incarcerated stood in their ʻike, reconnected with their culture, and was welcomed home.” ~Jamee Mahealani Miller

Sabrina Shizue McKenna — Jackie Young Social and Restorative Justice Award Hawaiʻi Acting Chief Justice

Justice McKenna became Acting Chief Justice in October 2025, but her story starts much earlier. Born in Tokyo, raised by a single mother after losing her father at age 9, she came to the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa (UH) on a basketball scholarship as an early beneficiary of Title IX. She earned her law degree from UH’s Richardson School of Law, and has served on the state bench since 1993. She is the first openly LGBTQ+ Asian American justice on a state court of last resort. She has described what it means to be a Richardson lawyer this way: stand up for people who don’t have power, and treat everyone, even those you disagree with, with aloha.

Tropical Farms — Restorative Employer Award 

Tropical Farms was built on a simple belief: people who have made mistakes deserve real chances, not charity, sympathy, or suspicion, but meaningful work, dignity, and belonging. The company has witnessed many lives change, especially women who rebuilt the love and respect of their children and families. That aloha isn’t just good values, it’s good business. Tropical Farms was voted the #2 Best Farm Experience for visitors in Hawaiʻi, an honor earned through the warmth and aloha that their employees bring every single day to the firm.

Keola Jenkins — Russ Takaki Restorative Parole Officer Award US District Court Probation Officer, District of Hawaiʻi

This award is named for Russ Takaki, who led Hawaiʻi’s parole office through 1972, when Hawaiʻi had the lowest recidivism rate in the country. Russ personally helped people on parole find jobs, invited them to dinner with his family, and took them surfing. HFRJ gave Russ Takaki a restorative justice parole officer award at the very first Parole Completion Celebration in 2010. He was 91 years old. This event exists, in part, because of what Russ showed us was possible. Keola carries that spirit forward. Raised on Hawai‘i Island, he serves the community where he grew up. He says he knew this work mattered when he saw how one person’s decision to change could positively influence everyone around them.

Roblynn Tristan — Russ Takaki Restorative Parole Officer Award Hawaiʻi State Parole Officer

Russ Takaki believed a parole officer’s job was not just to supervise, it was to help people rebuild their lives. Hawaiʻi had the lowest recidivism rate in the country on his watch. Roblynn walks alongside people at one of the hardest transitions in their lives, bringing both accountability and genuine care. She sees the person, not just the case file, and understands that lasting change comes through relationship, not just following rules. We are proud to honor her in Russ Takaki’s name.

16th Annual Parole Completion Celebration Awards

February, 2025

Ali‘iolani Hale, Honolulu, Hawai‘i

In March about 60 participants attended this annual event, including many highly inspirational people who were discharged from parole this year. Chief Justice Recktenwald, federal and state court judges Leslie Kobayashi, Shanlyn Park, Trish Morikawa (who was honored herself), City & County of Honolulu prosecutor Steve Alm, and others came to congratulate those who were discharged from parole, those who are role models for others on parole, and the people who assist them.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the event this year, recognizing that it especially benefits Native Hawaiians who are disproportionately incarcerated in Hawai‘i. Mahalo to the many who helped, including Tor Johnson Photography (https://www.tjhawaii.com); kumu hula Malina Kaulukuki (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8H_q6Y4318) and members of her halau who danced and Mahealani Panoke who provided the oli; the Pema Chodron Foundation (https://pemachodronfoundation.org/courses/), that donated inspiring books; Shon Kihewa and his wonderful niece Kamalei Sataraka for offering their musical skills. We are grateful to the Hawai‘i Paroling Authority and the Judiciary for their help. 

This year we recognized: Kimmy Takata, Graduate Student & Corrections System Reentry Oversight specialist, Restorative Justice Model Reentry Award; Molly Keane, Corrections Education Specialist at the Women’s Community Correctional Center, Jackie Young Social and Restorative Justice Award (Presented by Jackie’s daughter Nani Daniels); Trish K. Morikawa, Hawai‘i State First Circuit District Court Judge, Patti Lyons Social and Restorative Justice Award; John Dudoit, Discount Hotel Furniture and Keoki Dudoit, MOKA Movers, Restorative Employer Awards; Kate McClory, US District Court Probation Officer for District of Hawai‘i, Russ Takaki Restorative Parole Officer Award (https://hawaiifriends.org/russ-takai-restorative-parole-officer-of-the-year-award/); and Lyn Lamoreaux, Hawai’i State Parole Officer, Russ Takaki Restorative Parole Officer Award.

15^th Annual Parole Completion Celebration Awards

February 16, 2024

Ali‘iolani Hale, Honolulu, Hawai‘i

The 2023 parole completion celebration was postponed to February 2024 to allow guests from other states and countries to attend. Guests from all continents and many American states were welcomed to Hawai’i’s Supreme Court, Ali‘iolani Hale, for this annual event. Hawai’i Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald, Leela B. Goldstein, HFRJ chair, Ian Crabbe, HFRJ Vice Chair, Rich Turbin, past HFRJ chair, and others greeted the guests. Socialization occurred in the court’s beautiful rotunda. People enjoyed food including fish poke and vegetable spring rolls with lovely music provided by the mother and son duet from Kaua‘i, Rose Kitagawa and Norm Yamaoka, who have donated their time for all the in-person celebrations since the beginning of the event in 2010.

The celebration program shared uplifting ideas about life from Black Elk, Lakota Indigenous person whose real name was Heȟáka Sápa: “Behold this day, for it is yours to make;” Australian entrepreneur and writer Tim Denning’s: “The truth is you can be anything you want. You can dream something up out of nowhere and then use your daily activities to manifest it into the physical world. The key concept here is that we are responsible;” and, from Baal Shem Tov, Jewish mystic and founder of Hasidic Judaism, whose real name was Yisroel ben Eliezer, “Let me fall if I must. The one I will become will catch me.” 

After socializing the group went into the upstairs courtroom area for a large talking circle that was opened by Ahukini Fuertes who shared a beautiful Hawaiian oli. The following people were recognized for their contributions in helping others involved in the justice system:

Sophia Kaawa-Aweau – Restorative Justice Model Reentry Award. Sophia’s hard work, insight and vulnerability in being accountable for herself (she participated in a 2019 RJ program at the women’s prison). Today she is succeeding as a UH Mānoa junior studying to become a social worker, being the mother she envisioned for her children, and being driven by the desire to assist others. She is an inspiration for all. 

Candace Beale – Restorative Justice Corrections Employee Award. Candace has helped countless women reenter the community from incarceration for many years. Her aloha spirit and her flexibility in assisting others have been invaluable. HFRJ could not have provided a family law clinic, restorative justice and educational programs at the Women’s Community Correctional Center without Ms. Beale’s kind help. 

Linda Lingle – Patti Lyons Social and Restorative Justice Award. Linda Lingle, former Hawai’i governor, is being honored for her work including founding the Women’s Prison Project which has supported the Women’s Correctional Center Higher & Continuing Education pilot project, and restorative reentry circles. Governor Lingle also was instrumental in establishing Mohala Mai, a permanent housing facility for women released from prison. She is also a personal mentor for formerly incarcerated womenand is working for the abolition of incarceration for women.

Brynna Colmenares, Emma Forges & Kelli Kajiwara – Jackie Young Social and Restorative Justice Award. Highlands Intermediate School students Brynna and Emma, supported by their teacher Kelli, are being honored for the seventh grader’s report on the Hawai’i Innocence Project. Their work embodies the values that Jackie Young, a beloved social and restorative justice advocate, lived by. Her daughter Nani will deleiverthe award.

Times Supermarkets – Restorative Employer Award. Times is being honored with our community’s gratitude for supporting people on parole with employment, being supportive of their parole conditions, and assisting them in their overall needs during community adjustment.

The Kaua‘i Parole office:  Ryan Ahina, Albert Bolosan, Adrian Boxer, Keali’iKaanapu, Meliza Manuel, and Terrance Mejia – Russ Takaki Restorative Parole Officer Award. The entire parole office of six parole officers are being honored for their continual diligence and kōkua to serve those on parole on Kaua‘i. They each provided beyond what was expected of them to meet their clients’ needs. Russ Takaki, also a legendary surfer from Hawai’i, whose memory this award is named for, would be proud to know these parole officers who go many extra miles in helping others and being of service to our community.

On November 10, 2022 the 14th Annual Parole Completion Celebration was held in person at Ali’iolani Hale, Hawai’i’s Supreme Court. The talking circle held after food and socializing was opened with a beautiful oli by Momilani Cody. Attending the event this year included Hawai’i’s Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald, First Lady Dawn Ige, her husband Governor David Ige, Hawai’i Parol Board Chairperson Fred Hyun and Parol Board member Gene Demello, Nani Daniels (wonderful daughter of our beloved Jackie Young), HFRJ Chairperson Leela Bilmes Goldstein, Rich Turban, past HFRJ Chairperson and Larson Medina HFRJ board member, along with many others who work to improve the legal system. The individuals being honored in 2022 for their work follow:

1.      First Lady Dawn Ige – Patti Lyons Social and Restorative Justice Award presented by CJ Recktenwald – for her work and support of the Women’s Correctional Center Higher & Continuing Education pilot project where imprisoned women are trained to tutor their less educated peers to pass the GED and assisted with reentry and college plans in and after release from prison

2.       Alisha Kaluhiokalani – University of Hawai‘i School of Social Work Senior, Restorative Justice Model Reentry Award presented by First Lady Dawn Ige, CJ Recktenwald and Rich Turbin – for her hard work and caring for others showing that it can lead to an improved life. She had been incarcerated for many years, but in 2016 she changed her life including making a plan for her future, and amends with her loved ones and herself, in a huikahi reentry circle –today Alisha is thriving including being a senior in social work at the University of Hawai’i, she became ‘olelo, is a committed parent, peer mentor, and is a tremendous resource for our community

3.      Francis “Flash” Taele – Corrections Education Specialist, Restorative Justice Corrections Employee Award presented by First Lady Ige, Mark Recktenwald & Rich Turbin – for assisting in Women’s Community Correctional Center Higher and Continuing Education pilot program that has been a huge success in serving women who want to further their educations and lead more peaceful lives—Flash contributed far beyond what was expected in serving the women making the program a prototype for other correctional institutions

4.         Mary Scott Lau – Jackie Young Social and Restorative Justice Award – presented by Jackie’s daughter Nani Daniels along with First Lady Ige, Mark Recktenwald & Rich Turbin – for founding and providing the Women In Need program that provides housing and other services for women reentering the community after incarceration—Mary’s work helping women, children and families demonstrates the values that Jackie Young lived by—Nani can say something now or wait until she is in the circle – Larson Medina who worked at the women’s prison 30 years is accepting the award for Mary

5.           Hawai’i Foodservice Alliance (HFA) – Restorative Employer Award – presented by First Lady Ige, Mark Recktenwald & Rich Turbin – HFAis being honored for its continual support in offering people on parole secure employment, being supportive of their parole conditions, and supporting their overall needs during community adjustment – award will be accepted by two HFA employees Jennifer Hughs and Joslyn Aoki formerly incarcerated women who are highly valued as a manager (Hughs) and team leader (Aoki) for HFA—the presenter can mention this about Ms. Hughs and Aoki

6.    Maria “Maya” Datulayta – Russ Takaki Restorative Parole Officer Award – presented by Fred Hyun Parole Board Chief, First Lady Ige, Mark Recktenwald & Rich Turbin –Parole Officer Datulayta is being honored for her continual diligence and empathy as she strives to assist parolees with success on community supervision—she embodies Russ Takaki’s values by going the extra mile and is approachable by families, employers, and other community members who work as a team to help ensure a safer community

October 5, 2021 

Opening oli by Ahukini Fuertes King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center

Award Presentations by: First Lady Dawn Ige, Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald, Hawai‘i, US District Court Judge Leslie Kobayashi, HFRJ President Rich Turbin, Esq., Jackie Young’s daughter Paula Daniels, Esq., Social Worker & Justice Pioneer Patti Lyons, Parole Board Chair Fred Hyun, and Director Department of Public Safety Max Otani

Ashlee Rapp—Windward Community College Student who works 2 full-time jobs – Restorative Justice Community Reentry award for being a role model

Steve Oshiro—Manager New Hope Ministeries – Restorative Justice Community Reentry award for being a role model

Momi Cazimero—Artist – Jackie Young Restorative & Social Justice Award for helping the community Judge Joseph Cardoza—Hawai‘I State Circuit Court Judge for Third Circuit – Judicial Restorative & Innovation Award for promoting access to justice, etc. Noriko Namiki—CEO YWCA of O‘ahu – Patti Lyons Social & Restorative Justice Award for helping formerly incarcerated women

Kualoa Ranch—Outdoor facility in Kualoa Valley – Restorative Employer Awardfor employing people who’ve been convicted of crimes

Jenny Coats—Federal Pretrial Officer – Russ Takaki Restorative Probation Officer Award

Al Boloson—State Parole Officer – Russ Takaki Restorative Parole Officer Award

Malakai “Mo” Maumalanga—Adult Friends for Youth Program Director – posthumans Restorative Work & Living Award

October 7, 2020

Rashel Kahalioumi-Taketa – Restorative Justice Community Reentry

Dr. Amy Agbayani, PhD. – Jackie Young Restorative & Social Justice Award

Rom Trader, US District Court Magistrate – Federal Judicial Restorative and Innovative Award

Maryann Bray, Kim Clarke, Kepola Dudoit, Jennifer Hughes, and Lois Kim collectively for their work with the O’ahu YWCA –  Patti Lyons Social & Restorative Justice Award 

NAN, Inc., – Restorative Employer Award

Michael Knott, Hawai’i  State Parole Officer  – Russ Takaki Restorative Parole Officer Award

October 9, 2019 

Yolanda Nasser, Assistant Supervisor Kitchen Service, Restorative Justice Community Reentry

Malina Kaulukukui, Haku Ho‘oponopono, Kumu Hula, and Retired University of Hawai‘i Social Work Professor, Patti Lyons Social and Restorative Justice Award

Rhonda Loo, Maui Circuit Court Judge, Hawai‘i State Judicial Innovation & Restorative Award

Kevin Chang, United States Magistrate Judge, Federal Judicial Innovation & Restorative Award

Hardware Hawai‘i, Restorative Employer Award

Gwenson Yuen, Hawai‘i State Parole Officer, Russ Takaki Restorative Parole Officer Award 

October 10, 2018

Leah Castro-Business Owner (Restorative Justice Community Reentry Award)

Jackie Young, Phd., -Chair Hawai’i State Judicial Selection Commission (Restorative Justice Community Support Award)

Bruce Keaulani – Affectionately known as Uncle Bruce, (Restorative Justice Community Support Award)

Carrie Ann Shirota, Esq., – Hawai‘i Civil Rights Commission attorney (Restorative Justice Legal Innovations Award)

William Maemori – Juvenile Probation Administrator (Judicial Innovation Award)

Shawn Manini – Reentry Affairs Coordinator, Honolulu Federal Detention Center (Russ Takaki Restorative Justice Award)

Adrienne Boxer – Hawai’i State Parole Officer (Russ Takaki Restorative Justice Award)

October 2017

Daphne Hookano–Director, Beacon of Hope House Program (Restorative Justice Community Reentry Award)

De MONT R.D. Connor–Director, Ho’omana Pono, LLC (Restorative Justice Community Reentry Award)

Chas Williams–Director, WorkNet Hawai‘i (Restorative Justice Community Support Award)

Kevin Rego–Hawai‘i State Parole Office (Russ Takaki Restorative State Parole Officer Award)

Allison Thom–U.S. Pretrial Services Officer (Russ Takaki Restorative Federal Pretrial Officer Award)

Merton Chinen–Director, State Office of Youth Services (Restorative Justice Support for Youth and Families)

William Domingo–Hawai‘i District Court Judge (Award for Judicial Innovation & Restorative Approach)

November 2016

Michele Pope-Director, Bridge Furlough WCCC, (Restorative Justice Reentry From Prison Award)

Lillian Hussein–Administrative Assistant, First Presbyterian Church (Restorative Justice Community Reentry Award)

Kai Adric–Assistant Pastor, Agape Christian Church (Restorative Justice Community Reentry Award)

Ken Lawson-Law Professor, Richardson School of Law (Restorative Redemption & Peace Award)

Robert Bott–Hawai‘i State Parole Officer (Russ Takaki Restorative State Parole Officer Award)

Robin Demello–U.S. Probation Officer (Russ Takaki Restorative Federal Probation Officer Award)

Mark Recktenwald– Hawai‘i Chief Justice (Award for Hosting Circles of Restorative Justice)

October 2015

Georgette Kahao–Masters of Social Work Student, University of Hawai‘i (Restorative Justice Award for Formerly Incarcerated Person)

Kat Brady–Community Activist & Advocate (Restorative Justice Community Award)

Michela Valador–Adult Correctional Officer (Women’s Community Correctional Center (WCCC) Restorative Justice Prison Award)

Leslie Kobayashi–Federal District Court Judge (Judicial Innovation Award)

Mark Nanamori– Hawai‘i State Parole Officer (Russ Takaki Restorative State Parole Officer Award)

Cheryl Inouye–Hawai‘i Probation Section Administrator (Russ Takaki Restorative State Probation Officer Award)

Lisa Jicha–Senior U.S. Probation Officer (Russ Takaki Restorative Federal Probation Officer Award)

November 2014

Margaret Watson–Pres. Human Services Club (Prison Aftercare Support By Formerly Incarcerated)

Michael D. Wilson–Associate Justice (Judicial Innovation & Compassion)

Toni Grace Bissen–ESQ, PU‘A Foundation (Support for Imprisoned & Formerly Imprisoned People)

Robert K. Merce–ESQ, (Restorative Justice Community Support)

Elizabeth Hanawahine-Adult Correctional Officer (Ted Sakai Restorative Prison Staff, 2010)

Larson Medina-Recreation Director WCCC (Ted Sakai Restorative Prison Staff, 2010)

Rick Y. Fujihara–Parole Officer & Supervisor Maui (The Russ Takaki Restorative Parole Officer)

November 2013

Frank Garcia–Business Owner, Aiea (Prison Aftercare Support Award)

Matthew Taufetee–Director Life After Prison (Restorative Justice Community Award)

Ted Sakai-Director Public Safety (Ted Sakai Restorative Prison Award)

Judge Steven Alm-First Circuit Court (Judicial Innovation Award)

Reginald Une–Parole Officer & Supervisor, Hilo (The Russ Takaki Restorative Parole Officer Award)

October 2012

Chris Bardon (The Russ Takaki Restorative Parole Officer Award)

Delphine Abbott, Edgar Meyer, & Michael Mikami (Prison Aftercare Support Awards)

Warden Mark Patterson (Restorative Justice Prison Award)

Milford “Bubba” Smith (Restorative Justice Community Award)

Judge Bode Uale (Judicial Innovation Award)

October 2011

Judge Leslie A. Hayashi (Judicial Innovation Award)

Carlo Fiore (Prison Aftercare Support Award)

Jo DesMarets (The Russ Takaki Restorative Parole Officer Award)

Ian Crabbe (Restorative Justice Community Award)

October 2010

Ronald T.Y. Moon–Retired Chief Justice Hawai‘i State Supreme Court

Michael Town-Retired Circuit Court Judge State of Hawai‘i

March 2010

Russ Takaki–Former Chief Executive to the board of parole and pardons from. George Downing accepting on his behalf

Parole Completion Celebration Programs:

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010