Lokahi Brings Maui Inmates Christmas Cheer

While most of us will spend the holidays surrounded by family and friends, many of Hawaii's keiki will spend Christmas separated from one or both parents that are serving time behind bars. This year, a few island families are receiving the gift of being a family again, if only for a short time. This may look like your ordinary Christmas party .. With jolly old St. Nick spreading some holiday cheer .. But if you look a little closer, you'll see barbed wire fencing and women in orange and tan jumpsuits. The mood is happy ...Because for two hours on this day, about a dozen incarcerated moms ...Most in jail for drug-related offenses...are being united with their children to celebrate Christmas. " This is amazing. I never thought this would happen. Um this is exciting, this is wonderful," said MCCC inmate Noralyn. These women all attend weekly "Ohana Strengthening" parenting classes, a program put on by one of today's party sponsors ... Maui Economic Opportunity. " They give us the opportunity to better ourselves with classes and rehabilitation," said Jonelle. Jonelle has three children, ages 4 through 16. Like many of the women in here, this will be her first Christmas away from her kids. She says it's difficult but knows that there's a reason she is where she is. " I tell them that I gotta deal with my sickness and come back to being with them and they can look forward to having a better mom than they had before." The best gift a mom could give.