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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Central Union Church
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DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Honolulu:20260515T180000
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DTSTAMP:20260512T061043
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UID:25875-1778868000-1778878800@centralunionchurch.org
SUMMARY:Dinner & Documentary
DESCRIPTION:Did you know the U.S. incarcerates more people than any other nation? In the United Church of Christ\, we are called to address criminal justice and the reality of mass incarceration. Attend a free community dinner and film screening at Central Union on Friday\, May 15\, 6:00 PM. Watch the documentary 13th\, which explores the history and ongoing realities of the U.S. criminal legal system. This learning opportunity\, co-sponsored by Faith Action\, is open to the wider community. Opportunities to learn together are essential as we continue working toward justice\, dignity\, and accountability in our communities. \nRSVP HERE\n \nMedia release below! \nCommunity Group Hosts Free Documentary Screenings to Discuss Hawai‘i’s Jail and Prison Systems \nHONOLULU\, HAWAI‘I – This month\, the Reimagining Public Safety in Hawai‘i Coalition (RPS) is hosting screenings across Hawai‘i of the documentary 13th\, which analyzes the criminalization of Black Americans and the racist and economic drivers of the U.S. prison boom. \nAlthough Americans are only 5% of the world’s population\, they represent over 20% of the world’s incarcerated population. As Hawai‘i considers building a $1\,000\,000\,000.00 expanded-capacity jail\, RPS is hosting the documentary screenings to explore the roots of the U.S. jail and prison system\, and its discriminatory impacts on Hawai‘i today. \nIn Hawai‘i\, Native Hawaiians are over-represented in the criminal legal system. A 2008 study found that they represented only 24% of the population but 39% of the carceral population. This was especially true for youth populations\, but through collaboration with state agencies and local organizations\, Hawai‘i has reduced its incarcerated youth population by 80%. Some organizations helping to organize the documentary screenings have been part of successful community-led youth diversion programs that incorporate Native Hawaiian cultural and healing practices. Hawai‘i now serves as a model for youth decarceration. RPS wants the State of Hawai‘i to adopt a similar model for its adult populations\, rather than building a new jail. \nDepartment of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) Director Tommy Johnson has remarked that many people entering Hawai‘i’s jails are only there because of their mental health issues and that jails are the worst place for them. DCR is also chronically understaffed. RPS Facilitator\, Emily Sarasa\, says\, “The U.S. criminal legal system is recognized globally as a failure\, which is why people feel so unsafe on our streets. Jails and prisons are not equipped to deal with homelessness\, addiction\, and mental health issues. People are constantly cycling in and out of the jail\, and no one wants to work in a failing system. We know that community-led diversion solutions will break that cycle and make us all feel safer. Hawai‘i just needs the public understanding and political willpower to implement them.” \nCamron Hurt\, Director of Common Cause Hawaiʻi\, adds\, “We are showing the documentary 13th because we question the motivations behind the billion-dollar jail project\, and whether it will make our communities safer. We know what has worked in the youth system. Why is Hawai‘i willing to assume so much debt for more jail beds but not adequately fund adult diversion programs\, a new state mental health hospital\, reentry support\, permanent supportive housing for people with disabilities\, or the other solutions the community is calling for?” \nTo join the conversation about reimagining public safety in Hawaiʻi\, community members can register for the free dinners and screenings of 13th at bit.ly/13hawaii. Dates and details: \n\n\nO‘ahu – May 15\, 6:00-9:00 PM – Central Union Church\, 1660 S. Beretania Street\, Honolulu\, HI 96826 \n\n\nKaua‘i – May 19\, 6:00-9:00 PM – Princeville Community Center\, 4334 Emmalani Drive\, Princeville\, HI 96722 \n\n\nMaui – May 20\, 6:00-9:00 PM – Teran James Young Center\, 1727 Wili Pa Loop\, Wailuku\, HI 96793 \n\n\nHilo – May 21\, 6:00-9:00 PM – Island Nation\, 194 Kamehameha Avenue\, Hilo\, HI 96720 \n\n\n###### \nThe Reimagining Public Safety in Hawaiʻi Coalition (RPS) is a diverse group of local organizations and individuals advocating for Hawaiʻi to adopt a public health approach to public safety. RPS brings both lived experience and expertise from a range of sectors\, including public health\, the criminal legal system\, economic revitalization\, restorative justice\, police oversight and accountability\, mental health\, street medicine\, and harm reduction\, among others. Instead of relying on policing and incarceration\, RPS “reimagines public safety” by advocating for investment in systems that have the power to make our communities safer\, like youth programs\, supportive housing\, reentry programs\, training for living wage jobs\, and community-based care for mental health and substance addiction issues. \nPartners for the 13th event series include Hawaiʻi Friends of Restorative Justice\, ʻEkolu Mea Nui\, Hawaiʻi Health and Harm Reduction\, Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action\, Community Alliance on Prisons\, Kumukahi Health + Wellness\, Faith Action\, ACLU of Hawaiʻi\, ACLU of Hawaiʻi at UHM\, Black Law Student Association at Richardson Law\, Central Union Church\, Teran James Young Foundation\, Sex Workers Outreach Project\, Going Home Hawaiʻi\, Nurturing Wāhine Fund\, and Common Cause Hawaiʻi.
URL:https://centralunionchurch.org/event/dinner-documentary-13th/
LOCATION:Parish Hall
CATEGORIES:CUC
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://centralunionchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Dinner-and-Documentary-13th-2026-05-15.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Reimagining Public Safety in Hawai%E2%80%98i Coalition":MAILTO:emily@reimaginingpublicsafety.com
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