A Federal Detention Center is
being built near the airport.
Aloha and welcome to the first WatDat of the new Star-Bulletin. After in-depth backgrounding with journalism experts, demographic consultants and target audiences, we've come to the conclusion that Wat Dat will change ... not at all! Life is gray at
the detention centerBob Lee of Honolulu e-mails "Please let us guys know wat dat big gray, brand new cement building dats about 10 stories tall at the Honolulu Airport across da Hawaiian Airline terminal? My wife says, 'Ass one jail.'"
Bob, your wife Rosie sure can spot 'em. The building, still under construction, is the new federal detention center, and when it's completed in May, it will be known by the catchy name "Federal Detention Center." But it's still the Big House, the Slam, Stir, Alcatraz-on-the-Beach, the place where the river ends for society's scofflaws, ne'er-do-wells and tax evaders. Point it out to your kids as you drive by and tell them that's where those who fail algebra end up.
It was created for short-term federal prisoners, and will also house about 200 Hawaii state prisoners, said Deborah Westley, executive assistant to the warden. We can't tell you much more about it, because it's still under construction. In fact, the feds haven't yet taken possession. It still belongs to the contractor.
Maybe if they get a deal on paint they'll make it a more pleasant color other than gray. We wouldn't want to affect the prisoners' self-esteem.
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