The Hālawa Correctional Facility (HCF) is the largest prison in the State of Hawaiʻi, housing approximately 900 incarcerated individuals. The correctional population of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities continue to be disproportionately represented throughout Hawaiʻi’s criminal justice and correctional systems. In response, various task forces have called for a new, culturally grounded approach to corrections—one that embraces traditional Hawaiian practices and supports the reintegration of individuals with their families, communities, and the ʻāina, or land.

In alignment with this vision, UHCDC partnered with Bowers + Kubota Inc. to co-develop a Strategic Sustainability Master Plan for correctional facilities across the state. As part of this effort, the HCF Proof of Concept Study applies the findings from planning, research, and engagement to reimagine three underutilized spaces within the prison as pilots for cultural and healing-center facility improvements.

Client: State of Hawaiʻi Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Principal Investigators: Cathi Ho Schar FAIA
Project Staff: Creesha Layaoen, Dean Matsumura, Malu Stanich
Student Project team: Kiana Dai, Kaylen Daquioag, Thanh Nguyen, Haixin Ruan, Kaimana Tuazon, Hannah Angelika Valencia
Partner: Bowers + Kubota Consulting