Fostering Aloha: It’s Our Kuleana December 3, 2019

From the Office of Hawaiian Affairs:

Although Native Hawaiians only make up about 20% of Hawaiʻi’s population, nearly 50% of keiki in the foster care system are Native Hawaiian.

In this Ka Wai Ola News exclusive video, we hear from some of the kānaka who dedicate their hearts and homes to care for Native Hawaiian children in foster care. The Keola and Osorio families share their stories of resource caregiving (fostering) and send their kāhea out to encourage other Native Hawaiian families to become resource caregivers to Hawaiian keiki.

Resource care professionals Jan Dill and Billie-Ann Bruce also share their manaʻo about the crisis, emphasizing the importance of keeping Native Hawaiian keiki connected to their culture by keeping them here in Hawaiʻi with Hawaiian families.

As Kauʻi Keola reminds us, “it’s our kuleana” to care for Native Hawaiian keiki. To find out how you can become a resource caregiver, or other ways to kōkua the foster care community, contact our Hui Hoʻomalu foster licensing program. 

Read more about Hui Hoʻomalu, foster care in Hawaiʻi, and these ʻohanas that are fostering aloha.