Innovative Leadership In Reintegration & Restoration For Justice-Involved Individuals, Since 2004
ALOHA & WELCOME
Since 2004, the Hawai'i Island Going Home Consortium has been leading efforts to provide innovative and culturally responsive reentry and reintegration services to justice-involved individuals, their families, and communities. The Going Home Consortium consists of more than 50 public and private entities and their representatives with a network of over 300 state and national partners. Going Home Hawai'i is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and the governing fiscal body for the Hawai'i Island Going Home Consortium.
Going Home Consortium Structure:
Going Home Consortium Structure:
- Going Home Hawai’i (Fiscal Body)
- Hawai'i Island Going Home Consortium (East Hawai'i)
- West Hawai'i Coalition
- Executive Committee
- Committees
- Special Projects Sub-Committees
This April, we’re honored to celebrate two meaningful milestones: Going Home Hawaiʻi’s 10th anniversary as a nonprofit and National Second Chance Month. A big mahalo to Governor Josh Green and Mayor Kimo Alameda for proclaiming April as Second Chance Month in Hawaiʻi. Their support recognizes the importance of helping justice-involved individuals find their footing and thrive as they return to our communities.
For the past decade, Going Home Hawaiʻi has worked alongside dedicated partners to provide housing, support, and hope for those rebuilding their lives after incarceration. As we mark this special moment, we reaffirm our commitment to uplifting lives, strengthening families, and building safer, more compassionate communities.
Here’s to 10 years of Going Home—and the many more ahead.
For the past decade, Going Home Hawaiʻi has worked alongside dedicated partners to provide housing, support, and hope for those rebuilding their lives after incarceration. As we mark this special moment, we reaffirm our commitment to uplifting lives, strengthening families, and building safer, more compassionate communities.
Here’s to 10 years of Going Home—and the many more ahead.
Hawai`i Island Sequential Intercept Model
Going Home Hawai`i is releasing a report on Hawaiʻi Island’s Sequential Intercept Model (SIM), a tool developed by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to understand the relationship between criminal-legal agencies and behavioral health services and to identify opportunities for improving diversion away from justice systems and into more appropriate community settings. [SIM report.]
In August 2024, Going Home Hawai’i invited Heather Lusk of Hawai`i Health & Harm Reduction Center and Dan Mistak of Community Oriented Correctional Health Services to facilitate a conversation between 118 participants, 73 in Hilo and 45 in Kona, from across the behavioral health and justice sectors to prepare for the use of Medicaid dollars in carceral settings, help inform legislators about critical needs within the behavioral health and justice systems, and offer insights into how to improve diversion from justice settings. Participants included the Hawai`i Community Health Center, Hawai`i Island Fentanyl Task Force, Community First Hawai`i, Hawai`i Island Judiciary Third Circuit Court, HOPE Services Hawai`i, Hawai`i CARES 988, Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation, Lokahi Treatment Centers, Hawai`i Paroling Authority, The Governor’s Office, The Mayor’s Office, Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, Hawai`i County Council and the Hawai`i County Police Department.
In August 2024, Going Home Hawai’i invited Heather Lusk of Hawai`i Health & Harm Reduction Center and Dan Mistak of Community Oriented Correctional Health Services to facilitate a conversation between 118 participants, 73 in Hilo and 45 in Kona, from across the behavioral health and justice sectors to prepare for the use of Medicaid dollars in carceral settings, help inform legislators about critical needs within the behavioral health and justice systems, and offer insights into how to improve diversion from justice settings. Participants included the Hawai`i Community Health Center, Hawai`i Island Fentanyl Task Force, Community First Hawai`i, Hawai`i Island Judiciary Third Circuit Court, HOPE Services Hawai`i, Hawai`i CARES 988, Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation, Lokahi Treatment Centers, Hawai`i Paroling Authority, The Governor’s Office, The Mayor’s Office, Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, Hawai`i County Council and the Hawai`i County Police Department.
We are excited to celebrate a decade of dedication to equity, restorative justice, and building safe, thriving communities. Explore our January 2025 newsletter to see how we've grown from our first housing program in 2016 to a statewide leader in reentry and recovery. Together, we're creating pathways for a brighter future.
📖 Read more here
📖 Read more here
MAHALO FOR AN INCREDIBLE 11TH ANNUAL FUNDRAISER EVENT!
Second Chance Month Newsletter, Proclamations, and Sign Waving Event
Check out our most recent newsletter celebrating The Hawai`i Island Going Home Consortium's 20th Anniversary and National Second Chance Month! It's an honor to reflect on two decades of serving our community and providing vital re-entry services to those in need. The overall goal of the Consortium is to reduce recidivism on Hawai`i Island for justice-involved individuals. You can find a downloadable PDF here.
In honor of April as National Second Chance Month, Governor Josh Green & Mayor Mitch Roth wrote proclamations recognizing and encouraging others to support the ongoing efforts of the Hawai'i Island Going Home Consortium. Second Chance Month recognizes the deep need for restoration, diversion, trauma-informed care, and social support for the success of Justice-Involved Individuals. Join us in celebrating this vital initiative as we advocate for forgiveness, redemption, and opportunities for all. Stay tuned for updates and ways to get involved in our community-wide efforts to support second chances. Together, we’re making a difference!
Photo Credit: L Ruminski, West Hawaii Today
GHH Reentry & Restoration Summit: "An Ideal Time to Affect Positive Change in the System"
On Wednesday, August 23, 300 participants from government, private and nonprofit organizations and community members convened at the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Resort to discuss ways of ending the cycle of recidivism through housing solutions, healthcare, employment, and community safety. Read the West Hawaii Today article or here, or watch a recording of the Summit on Facebook.
On Wednesday, August 23, 300 participants from government, private and nonprofit organizations and community members convened at the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Resort to discuss ways of ending the cycle of recidivism through housing solutions, healthcare, employment, and community safety. Read the West Hawaii Today article or here, or watch a recording of the Summit on Facebook.
Recent GHH Happenings
GHH President & CEO Les Estrella received the Exchange Club of Hilo's 2023 Humanitarian Award at the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast on June 8th.
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GHH hosted an information table at the BISAC Summer Jam 2023 on July 29th at the Hilo Civic Auditorium.
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Dr. Marilyn Brown gave a talk on "Theories of Desistance: The Role of Culture" at the GHH staff leadership training on July 10th.
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GHH Part of Panel Discussion on Community & Policing
GHH's Les Estrella and Michelle Manalo were part of a panel discussion on "Community Perspectives on Policing" at East Hawai`i Community Center (EHCC) on May 20th, 2023. The EHCC building served as Hilo's police station, jail and courthouse from 1932 until 1975. The panel discussion is part of EHCC's efforts to acknowledge the untold stories that are part of their past, explained Carol Walker, Acting Executive Director. The event will open with a special presentation by UHH students, who will share the results of their research into current and past community perspectives on policing in East Hawai`i, followed by a panel discussion and Q&A.
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Consortium Guest Speaker Presentations
Each month, the Hawai`i Island Going Home Consortium invites a guest speaker to share on an aspect of reentry and restoration, followed by a Q&A session. Watch a recording of a guest speaker by clicking on their image. All videos are on our YouTube channel.
Each month, the Hawai`i Island Going Home Consortium invites a guest speaker to share on an aspect of reentry and restoration, followed by a Q&A session. Watch a recording of a guest speaker by clicking on their image. All videos are on our YouTube channel.
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Governor Josh Green Expresses Appreciation of the Hawai`i Island Going Home Consortium
Going Home Hawaii and the Hawai`i Island Going Home Consortium are honored to be recognized through Governor Green's Special Message of Appreciation. Excerpts below: "The observance of Second Chance Month reinforces the positive message that supporting successful reentry is crucial to community safety, reduces the cost of incarceration to society, promotes the reduction of crime and recidivism, and improves the health and safety of the entire community." |
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Mayor Mitch Roth recognizes Second Chance Month
Going Home Hawaii is honored to be recognized through Mayor Mitch Roth's Proclamation of April 2023 as Second Chance Month. Excerpts below: "'Second Chance Month' is a national observance every April to raise awareness of the collateral consequences of a crime and to promote second-chance opportunities to lift up those who, having made mistakes, are committed to making meaningful contributions with the opportunity to successfully re-enter their communities and lead positive, productive lives. "Nearly all incarcerated persons in Hawai`i will be released back to their communities after prison. Going Home Hawai`i and its Consortium of community partners have helped justice-involved persons return successfully to their communities. Without such help, returning citizens face homelessness, unemployment, lack of economic opportunities, substance misuse and mental health issues, poor social support and a range of other problems." |
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Our 9th Annual Consortium Benefit Fundraiser
After two years, it was a joy to gather in person again at our 9th Annual Consortium Benefit Fundraiser on October 14th, 2022, at Fairway Grill. Hosted by Dr. Kimo Alameda, the event honored Hawai`i County Reentry Heroes Brandee Menino, CEO of HOPE Services Hawai`i, and Iopa Maunakea, Executive Director of Kanaka O Puna - Men of PA`A. Watch a slideshow created by Iopa Maunakea, photos by Charlene Iboshi. |
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Going Home Selected as HCF CHANGE Framework Grantee
UPDATE - On June 21st, 2022, Going Home Hawaii was awarded an 6-month extension, through to January 2023, and additional funding of $25,000 through the Robert Emens Black Fund of the Hawai`i Community Foundation (HCF). We are very grateful for this continued support of our work! When we work together, we can do big things. Going Home Hawaii has been selected as one of HCF's 194 CHANGE Framework grantees addressing systemic issues in Safe & Sustainable Communities sub-sector of the CHANGE Framework's Community and Economy ("C") sector. The first year of the CHANGE Framework Grants program focuses on understanding the critical issues in Hawai`i that might need more support, or pinpointing where momentum is taking place and more investment is needed. GHH is excited to be exploring how the recidivism rate and other related data can contribute to this collective understanding and action to find equitable solutions for our island home. |
MISSION STATEMENT
To assist justice-involved Hawai'i Island men, women, and youth with reintegration into community life
through employment, education, housing, and appropriate services
"Ho'i Hou I Ka Mole" (Return to the Root)
