The Hawaii Community Correctional Center has reported unrest that began at 3:45 p.m., involving inmates in the A-wing of the Wainuenue housing unit. Inmates have set a fire and barricaded doors. The Hawaii Fire Department is on the scene along with Hawaii Police and State Sheriffs who were called to assist. Emergency response teams made up of correctional officers, with the assistance of Hawaii Police and Sheriffs, are responding. It is an active situation.
Sometime earlier there was an affray leading to rioting at the facility including the setting of fire to a housing unit. It has not yet been determined the cause of the brawl at the facility and it was not determined how much damage has been done. State Personnel are evacuating inmates from the facility so that an assessment can take place to determine the extent of the damage to the facility.
Police assisted State Corrections officers in establishing a perimeter around the facility shutting down Wainuenue Avenue and parts of Komohana Street, that still remain closed indefinitely while the state investigates the incident.
There were some reported injures to inmates from the affray, and corrections officers suffered smoke inhalation and respiratory issues from the incident. There are no major injuries being reported at this time.
Responding to the facility in addition to police were two Hawaii Fire Department station units, State Sheriffs and the State Corrections Officers.
The fire has been extinguished and the assessment process is being performed on the injured people before a facility check can take place.
Further inquiries can be made to Captain Ben Catriz of the Department of Public Safety, State Corrections Division.
RE: 20-068731