In response to Civil Beat’s inquiries, the Department of Human Services has initiated a task force aimed at addressing the pressing challenges faced by the foster care system in Hawaiʻi.
Recent reports indicate that several foster children have been forced to sleep in government offices and hotels due to a lack of suitable placements.
For example, a two-year-old toddler spent the night in a government office on Kauaʻi, while a 13-year-old has been sleeping on a futon in an Oʻahu office for nearly two months.
A 15-year-old has endured three months living in state offices and hotels on Hawaiʻi island.
These incidents reflect a crisis in a system that is increasingly unable to meet the needs of vulnerable youth.
According to the Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services, over two dozen children have faced similar conditions in the past two years—a troubling trend initially highlighted by Civil Beat two years ago.
Venus Kauʻiokawēkiu Rosete-Medeiros, president and CEO of Hale Kipa, a youth shelter, commented on this alarming situation, stating that children sleeping in unsuitable places is a sign of systemic failure to protect those most in need.
Amid these concerns, the new DHS director, Ryan Yamane, has taken action to form an internal task force to explore solutions.
Daisy Hartsfield, the DHS Social Services Division Administrator, acknowledged the collaboration within the department, stating, “We’re going to be working together trying to figure out how we can best address this issue here in Hawaiʻi.”
State data reveals more unsettling trends, with one 17-year-old on Big Island reportedly requiring overnight stays in state offices three different times, each lasting between two weeks to two months.
Carla Houser, executive director of RYSE, a youth shelter in Kailua, highlighted the impact of this experience on children, stating, “Kids are super smart, and they know that it’s not a place meant for human habitation.”
She emphasized that if the system cannot provide a clean and safe environment, it damages trust in the system.
Addressing these issues, Hartsfield stressed that the state explores various options before resorting to temporary office accommodation for children.
The challenges of the foster care system are multifaceted, with many children entering care due to abuse, neglect, or family incarceration.
Hartsfield noted a nationwide crisis in foster placements, which complicates the situation in Hawaiʻi.
This crisis isn’t isolated to the islands; other states like Kansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky have faced similar issues, sparking audits and urgent calls for reform.
Recent developments have revealed that significant changes have occurred in the foster care landscape following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The pandemic has led to a significant decline in the number of foster families willing to take in children.
Data from the state suggests that in Fiscal Year 2023, there were only 843 foster homes available for 1,225 foster youth.
The pandemic-induced isolation has also contributed to a national emergency in youth mental health, resulting in more severe behavioral issues among youth.
As Hartsfield pointed out, while the number of foster children in Hawaiʻi has decreased, their needs have escalated, often leading to more disruptive behaviors.
Many families are reaching out to organizations for assistance, indicating they can no longer manage the children’s behavioral challenges.
Houser noted an increase in calls from families overwhelmed by their troubled youth, echoing a call for more comprehensive support.
The lack of mental health facilities poses further challenges, exacerbating the crisis.
Elladine Olevao, administrator of the Child Welfare Services branch of DHS, noted that many children staying in temporary accommodations have had encounters with the juvenile justice system.
Additionally, some of these children may even be at risk of trafficking.
“This isn’t the ideal situation for any child,” Olevao stated.
In many cases, emergency shelters are unequipped to accommodate high-needs children.
Hale Kipa admits it has to make tough decisions about hosting children with demanding behavioral needs, as bringing in one troubled youth can compromise the safety and supervision of others.
Rosete-Medeiros remarked, “We can’t keep them on. It becomes an unsafe environment in our shelters.”
To improve support systems, Hale Kipa hopes the state will allocate resources for training staff to manage high-needs cases effectively.
While some programs, like therapeutic foster homes offering 24/7 support, currently exist, advocates believe that more funding and resources are crucial to successfully support high-needs children.
Some child advocates are voicing concerns over the quick removal of children from their families, suggesting that more efforts should be made to keep families together.
However, DHS insists that maintaining family unity is a priority, offering assistance like rent and car repair aid to families at risk of separation.
Olevao emphasized, “There’s a pathway to do that, and that’s been excellent. It’s been working really well.”
Despite the optimism, the struggle persists, as highlighted by the aftermath of multiple high-profile cases involving deaths of foster children in Hawaiʻi.
In response, the state has formed the Mālama ʻOhana working group, tasked with finding solutions to enhance the child welfare system.
Although recommendations have been made, efforts to pass significant reforms, such as House Bill 1079 for increased training and Senate Bill 952 aimed at creating a supportive pilot program, have floundered.
Sen. Joy San Buenaventura, chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, noted budget constraints as a primary reason for this failure.
Many in the Legislature recognized the importance of addressing the crisis yet faced competing fiscal priorities, including the Maui wildfire settlement and potential federal spending cuts.
Consequently, the ongoing situation, in which children are placed in inadequate settings, incurs significant costs to the state.
DHS reports that supervising children in temporary accommodations requires substantial resources, with significant overtime costs associated with supervision.
San Buenaventura commented on the financial implications of this situation, stating, “It gets pretty expensive.”
As state officials continue to seek solutions, Hartsfield asserts that the emphasis must shift toward strengthening support services for families to truly combat these systemic challenges.
She stressed that resolving these issues requires a long-term commitment to addressing the root causes, rather than relying on short-term fixes.
image source from：https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/06/hawaii-foster-system-in-crisis-kids-still-sleeping-in-offices-hotels/
