“This is probably the best gift I got in prison,” said resident Talia Opeti, holding one of 11 new ukuleles donated by the Rossmoor Ukulele Club and given to the Native Hawaiian Religious Group at San Quentin.

Herb Salomon, founder of the Rossmoor Ukulele Club, visited SQ with four other guests to meet the talented recipients and to experience their donations at work.

“I came because I think if someone doesn’t come to visit, they hold a stereotype about the people who are in prison. I’ve gained a sense of respect for you all because you have experienced adversity in your lives and you have come back from it,” Salomon said.

Before the residents shared their musical talents, they shared the most vulnerable parts of themselves, which included naming their victims, their sentence, and insight about how they ended up in prison. The sentence lengths ranged from 25-years-to-life to one person who said he is serving a quadruple life sentence.

Resident Harold Meeks, one of the longest standing members of the group, shared the history of the group.

“The group was created in 2012 because there were a lot of Pacific Islanders at the prison and we needed a space to practice our religion,” said Meeks. “After some challenges trying to locate a space in the crowded prison, the group finally settled down in Chapel C.”

Resident Kelon Williams discussed his love of food and how it connected him to his culture. He said coming to prison, there wasn’t a space where his culture gathered to practice their religion. 

He recalled doing performances at Solano State Prison in 2003 where the guys would use guitars and sometimes slap their hands on their knees because they did not have ukuleles, but then he came to San Quentin.

“There really wasn’t a place for us in prison. It wasn’t really until I came to San Quentin that I met the brothers here and I regained that connection to my identity,” said Williams, noting that the group has helped him connect to other people.

A few members reminisced about how difficult it was at first performing in prison, saying it wasn’t all fun and dance because there were people who did not understand the culture and perceived the religious dance as a bunch of men in dresses.

“There were a lot of hecklers at first, but once we started playing at events there was a newfound respect for our culture,” said resident Rodel Pulido.

Resident Taiosisi Matangi talked about the comfort he feels with his brothers. “This group has broken down the walls of segregation and by us performing, it brings so much joy and happiness to a place where that is lacking,” he said.

Art Salzfass, a 90-year-old member of the Rossmoor club shared his upbringing as an orphaned kid and said he could relate, not with the prison experience, but dealing with adversity. He said that his visit to San Quentin could be summed up into two words, tabula rasa, which mean a “blank slate.”

“And what happened is, I came in here and you guys wrote on it in three dimensions,” said Salzfass. “I see that what’s happening here is everyone is planting a seed and it is growing a forest. It’s the songs, it’s the sounds.”

The 16 incarcerated group members performed three Native Hawaiian pieces. The first performance was “‘Ulupalakua.” 

During this piece, nine residents danced in native Hawaiian attire and kukui necklaces while the remaining members sang and played their newly donated ukuleles in the background. The next song was “Pahoho,” which included all 16 group members as the guests swayed side to side in chairs while singing the words of each song. The final number was “Wahine ‘Ilikea.” As they performed, the guests wore smiles on their faces as they watched the men embrace their culture.

Resident Fonuamana Fuahala said the group allowed him to have a better understanding of people, something he can carry with him beyond prison walls.

“It’s a matter of being patient, understanding, and putting my pride to the side,” Fuahala said. “This group gives me the opportunity to share joy, love, and appreciation for other peoples’ skills and talents.”

Resident Freddy Huante said that he was used to being the person who sat quietly in the background during yard events, but he recalled how members of the Native Hawaiian Religious Group supported and included him.

“It taught me how to express myself and be vulnerable in a group, like being here with you today,” said Huante. “You are all a part of my support system now and I look forward to continuing my growth.”

When discussing mental health and playing music in the group, resident Calvin Williams said that the group gave him a space to speak up and lean on his brothers when he was going through personal difficulties.

“This is the best mental health for me,” Williams said. “I’m not a saint and I’m not proud of a lot of things, but I am proud of this group.”

After hearing the stories from the incarcerated men and witnessing their commitment to each other, Farhad Partovi said he was very emotional.

“Today, for me, this is the most amazing moment just hearing your stories,” said Partovi. “All I can do is cry; just seeing and knowing you is a life-changing moment for me.”

Mindy Zuckerman agreed with those sentiments and shared a few words with the group.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be invited to something like this. To be able to give you ukuleles was a gift to me, just as it was to you,” Zuckerman said.

The visitors noted that this visit changed their perspective of what they believed prison to be.

During the closing, residents expressed their appreciation for the guests coming to San Quentin and for all of sponsor Aunty Adel Serafino’s support. Resident and moderator of the event Johnny Deneng closed out with some final words.

“We are deeply grateful for your presence today. It has been a confidence booster to see that people out there still care,” said Deneng. “It is affirmation for us as we work to become better men, sons, brothers, fathers, partners, and people in the community.”