Mālama ‘Ohana seeks child welfare lived experiences to inform new legislation

A group formed to suggest changes to legislature regarding Hawaiʻi’s existing child welfare system wants to hear from people with lived experiences of the state’s child welfare system.

The Mālama ‘Ohana Working Group will conduct 11 in-person and virtual listening sessions across the islands, including two meetings on the Valley Isle, open to the public this June.

There will be four separate listening sessions across Maui County that include Hāna, Kahului, Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi.

• Molokaʻi: Thursday, June 6, 5:30 to 8 p.m.
  • OHA Conference, Kulana ʻŌiwi Halau, 600 Maunaloa Hwy., Kalamaʻula, Molokaʻi
• Kahului: Monday, June 10, 5:30 to 8 p.m.
  • University of Hawaiʻi at Maui College, Pilina Center, 310 W. Kaʻahumanu Ave., Kahului, Maui
• Hāna: Friday, June 14, 6 to 8 p.m.
  • Virtual Meeting (via Zoom) for Hāna community, Hāna, Maui
• Lānaʻi: Thursday, June 27, 6 to 8 p.m.
  • Virtual Meeting (via Zoom) for Lānaʻi community, Lānaʻi

The sessions culminate in a statewide meeting on Tuesday, July 2.

“The purpose of these sessions is to build a foundation,” said Governor Josh Green, M.D. “We hope people from keiki to kūpuna will share their hearts, so the Mālama ‘Ohana Working Group can work to help bring positive, transformative change to the child welfare system.”

“We are hosting these listening sessions for youth, mākua (parents), kūpuna and people with lived experience with the child welfare system in Hawai‘i to lift up keiki and ‘ohana voices in order to improve and transform it,” said Venus Rosete-Medeiros, one of the working group’s co-chairs, as well as president and CEO of Hale Kipa.

Food will be provided at each meeting. Registration is requested to attend. For more information on each session, including registration details, visit the Mālama ‘Ohana Working Group website at malamaohana.net.

The working group was established during the 2023 legislative session and signed into law as Act 86 by Governor Josh Green, M.D. on June 14, 2023. The concept of the working group originated within the work of the Nā Kama a Hāloa Network, which consists of more than 30 organizations working collaboratively to improve the lives of Native Hawaiian keiki and ʻohana, especially those over-represented in the state’s child welfare system.  

The working group will submit its formal recommendations to the legislature prior to the 2025 legislative session.

The full list of 11 community meetings is below.

• Wednesday, May 29, 5:30 to 8 p.m.
  • Kamehameha Schools Kalanihoʻokaha Learning Center, 89-102 Farrington Hwy., Wai‘anae, O‘ahu
• Friday, May 31, 5:30 to 8 p.m.
  • Keaukaha Elementary Cafeteria, 240 Desha Ave., Hilo, Hawai‘i Island
• Thursday, June 6, 5:30 to 8 p.m.
  • OHA Conference, Kulana ʻŌiwi Halau, 600 Maunaloa Hwy., Kalamaʻula, Molokaʻi
• Monday, June 10, 5:30 to 8 p.m.
  • University of Hawaiʻi at Maui College, Pilina Center, 310 W. Kaʻahumanu Ave., Kahului, Maui
• Friday, June 14, 6 to 8 p.m.
  • Virtual Meeting (via Zoom) for Hāna community, Hāna, Maui
• Tuesday, June 18, 5:30 to 8 p.m.
  • Liliʻuokalani Trust Kīpuka Kona, 74-5490 Makala Blvd., Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi Island
• Tuesday, June 25, 5:30 to 8 p.m.
  • War Memorial Convention Hall, 4191 Hardy St., Līhu‘e, Kauaʻi
• Thursday, June 27, 6 to 8 p.m.
  • Virtual Meeting (via Zoom) for Lānaʻi community, Lānaʻi
• Friday, June 28, 5:30 to 8 p.m.
  • Blanche Pope Elementary School Cafeteria, 41-133 Huli St., Waimānalo, Oʻahu
• Monday, July 1, 5:30 to 8 p.m.
  • Wahiawā Elementary, 1402 Glen Ave., Wahiawā, Oʻahu
• Tuesday, July 2, 6 to 8 p.m.
  • Statewide virtual meeting (via Zoom)