Newspaper of the Diocese of Honolulu
Here are scenes from the 2018 “Star Light, Star Bright” Christmas party at the Women’s Community Correctional Center in Kailua on Dec. 8. The annual event is for women inmates, their children and the kids’ caregivers. The Diocese of Honolulu’s Office of Prison Ministry sponsors the event. This year’s party included lunch, treats from an ice cream truck, cookie decorating, craft projects, a puppet show, games, karaoke and a visit from Santa. All the children received gifts, and each female inmates’ family took home a laundry basket filled with food, gift certificates and other personal items. Donations cover the cost of the event, gifts and flying several outer island families to Oahu plus putting them up at St. Stephen Diocesan Center so they can visit their moms. Deacon Walter Yoshimitsu (pictured at top right) and diocesan employee Paulette Vernay, started “Star Light, Star Bright” 18 years ago when they saw that local inmates who were mothers didn’t get to see or reconnect with their children at Christmastime. More photos on Facebook. (HCH photos | Anna Weaver)