The Halawa Correctional Facility and Chaminade University held a special commencement ceremony May 10 for nine men earning their associate of arts degree in Business Administration. The graduates are the second cohort to graduate from Halawa’s Prison Education Program—offered at the facility through a partnership with Chaminade.
“Driving positive change and advocating for social justice is core to our Catholic, Marianist mission at Chaminade University, which is why we are so excited about the continued success of our rehabilitation-through-education partnership with the State of Hawaiʻi,” said Lynn Babington, Ph.D., president of Chaminade University.
“Our Spring 2025 prison-based education graduates exemplify the importance of second chances and personal development. These men have overcome so many obstacles that most of us can’t even imagine. They are well on their way to being resilient, to taking care of themselves and moving forward with their life’s path and we are so proud of that.”
The graduates included Eddieson Reyes, AA ’25, who said he never thought he would be able to attain a college degree.
“It’s an eye-opener for me, gaining more knowledge, more wisdom, more understanding of how the world works,” he said, adding that he is proud to be a positive role model for his two daughters, both of whom are also attending college.
“I’m trying to show them that if I can do it, they can do it. This program was so inspiring. I told myself that I didn’t like school, but really I love it.”
Oscar Kanoa, AA ’25 said he had “a lot of butterflies” at the commencement.
“It’s means a lot to me. It shows the perseverance we’ve had,” he said. “This is a second chance to achieve something.”
Through the program, Chaminade University faculty teach courses at the correctional facility.
The graduates completed 20 courses and accumulated 60 credits over five semesters to earn their associate’s degree. The AA in Business Administration includes foundational coursework in business principles, communication and critical thinking.
Tommy Johnson, director of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, said the graduating class “represents the core mission of the department—providing programs and services in collaboration with our partners to those in our custody and care so they can successfully reintegrate back into society upon release.”
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“We are extremely proud of all the graduates,” he added.
After the ceremony, graduate Tyrone Molina said he was proud of himself—and his fellow Silverswords.
“This proves that I’m capable of doing things that I never thought I could,” the 38-year-old said.
“Growing up, I was pretty good in school but I just started following the wrong crowd. So this was a chance for me to redeem myself and get back out there and show the world what I’m capable of and be able to provide for myself and my family.”
Lance Askildson, Ph.D, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost at Chaminade University, told graduates that the commencement ceremony was a new beginning.
“The start of this new chapter is not defined by the past but by the purpose you have chosen, the values you carry with you and the choices that lie ahead of you,” he said.
Askildson added: “At Chaminade, we believe that every student deserves the chance to grow and learn to build a life of purpose. Our graduates in the prison education program have embraced this opportunity with courage and perseverance while also finding renewed purpose in their lives.”