Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 18, Number 4, 1 April 2001 — Imprisoned afar [ARTICLE]

Imprisoned afar

I read "A Nation Incarceratetf' by Healani Sonoda in Colorlines Spring 2001 edition, and it brings up many concerns. My brother, Boogie Kekahuna, is in prison, and was featured in the article. He, along with 125 other Hawaiians, was shipped off to a private, forprofit prison in Arizona. Why? If Hawaiians make up 20 percent of the state's population, why do we represent 45 percent of the prison population? Thanks to Healani, I understand a little more about what American colonization has done to our Hawaiian people. A lot of what is in the article has happened to my family, for no apparent reason. It represents a vicious cycle. I'm not looking for excuses. I'm looking for equality for our people. Don't ship Native Hawaiians away from their families and loved ones who should be a part of their rehabilitation. Leonani Kekahuna 'Ewa Beach

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