WAILUKU, Hawaii (KHON2) — Prison life can a be a difficult journey to take for anyone. But there are methods state officials are taking to enrich the lives of those incarcerated as a means of making the overall community a better place.
Five inmates at Maui Community Correctional Center graduated Wednesday, Aug. 13, with General Education Development diplomas.
The ceremony marked the second GED graduation held at MCCC. The first took place in October 2024 with two graduates.
Students must pass four subjects — reading and language arts, math, science and social studies — each with a minimum score of 145. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation partners with the Hawaiʻi Department of Education’s McKinley Community School for Adults at the Moanalua campus to offer the program.
Vice Principal Kurt Ginoza presented the diplomas. One of the five graduates was released before the ceremony and did not attend.
Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Director Tommy Johnson thanked MCCC Warden Liane Endo and the education team for their work.
“We are proud of all graduates for their accomplishments. This reflects the inmates’ commitment to transform their lives,” Johnson said.
Deputy Director Sanna Muñoz congratulated the graduates. Some will return to the community in the coming weeks.
“It was amazing to see their pride in this accomplishment and to learn that some of the graduates are interested in pursuing degrees in areas such as Hawaiian language, cybersecurity and culinary arts,” Muñoz said.
Warden Endo commended their effort.
“All of you have worked so hard and made that important investment in yourselves that will pay itself back many times forward,” Endo said.
“Today, we celebrate not just a diploma, but determination and resilience,” Roseanne Propato, Corrections Education Program Manager, added. “Our graduates have shown that they have the courage to rise, to learn and to believe in a better future which is an inspiration to us all.”