An innovative program on Maui that seeks to strengthen the bonds between imprisoned dads and their children offers an important lesson for anyone concerned about breaking the cycle of incarceration that seems to afflict some families.

The Maui program, known as No Na Kamali'i, offers selected inmates a chance to enjoy weekly experiences with their keiki and participate in field trips and other activities.

There are similar programs throughout the state's corrections system, but one nice aspect of the Maui program is that it allows dads and their kids to interact outside of the institutional setting.

A story by Christie Wilson, for instance, tells of a trip taken by dads from the Maui Community Correctional Center and their children to the Maui Ocean Center aquarium.

These programs serve as a motivator and as a way to help prevent the "revolving door" syndrome. Studies show that inmates who remain attached to their families are less likely to repeat their mistakes.

But there is another payoff that may be even more important than the benefits gained by the inmate himself:

These experiences may help break the generational ties that see far too many children of incarcerated parents in prison as well. Studies have shown that children of people in prison are statistically more likely to end up behind bars in their own life.

The Maui program and others like it are no magic bullet. But they offer hope that families can lift themselves out of the cycle of despair that drives so many into prison.