Planting For A Better Future

The Women’s Community Correctional Center in Kailua is the only women’s prison in Hawaii. It serves the needs of both pre-trial and sentenced female offenders of maximum, medium and minimum custody levels.

The 2004 Founders Fund Award was given to allow the inmates the ability to clear and cultivate several acres of unused land between buildings and then grow marketable produce and flowers. The inmates were able to grow taro, sugar cane, banana, sweet potato and other edible plants brought to the islands on Polynesian sailing canoes nearly 2,000 years ago. Working the land strengthens cultural identity by teaching traditional stories (mo’olelo,) protocol (hana kupono) and prayerful chants (oli) – all integral components of Hawaiian agricultural practices.

The Garden Club of Honolulu members committed to training inmates in plant care and maintenance. Club members also conducted lei making/flower arranging classes and provided guidance in the greenhouse’s hydroponic gardening and plant propagation. One inmate said about the program: “Flowers bring a spirit in you. On this side of the wall, you kind of lose that spirit. With the flower arranging classes, it brings you alive again.” The GC of Honolulu also worked with the WCCC on a successful experiment to raise clone ‘ulu trees, also known as breadfruit