#child abuse

Child abuse remains a critical issue in Hawaiʻi. According to the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health’s 2023 Child Abuse and Neglect Report, 4,269 children were reported as potential victims, with 788 confirmed cases, a confirmation rate of 18%.

A Maui man who was on trial for the second degree attempted murder of his ex-girlfriend’s infant, was found guilty instead of a lesser first degree attempted assault charge. The verdict in the trail of Christian Rosete was reached on Monday afternoon (Sept. 23). The jury found Rosete guilty as charged of separate first and second degree assault charges, and a charge of felony abuse against a family or household member. Another second degree assault charge for Count 3 was reduced to a third degree assault conviction.

The Hawai’i Department of the Attorney General and the Hawai’i Department of Human Services today announced the results of a multiagency child recovery operation conducted over the past weekend, known as Operation Shine the Light. The state agencies worked jointly with the Honolulu Police Department, as well as the US Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Susannah Wesley Community Center, to locate, recover and provide immediate services to endangered missing children and youth reported as “runaways” across Oʻahu. 

As April marks National Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Hoʻoikaika Partnership is excited to host the 4th annual ‘Ohana Fest “Journey to Make Pono” on Saturday, April 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Maui Nui Botanical Gardens. This event is designed for families who are eligible for services offered by partner agencies. The event includes activities, community resources, music and giveaways.

Hoʻoikaika Partnership, a coalition dedicated to preventing child maltreatment and strengthening families, has received a one-year grant from The Maui Strong Fund of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation.

Bills relating to the ongoing battle against domestic violence and sexual assault as well as expanded support for survivors; and bills relating to residents’ wellness and resilience and to improving childcare for Hawai‘i families, now bear Gov. Green’s signature.

Prevent Child Abuse America announced that Maui Family Support Services, Inc. has been reaccredited through March 2027.

“We are grateful of the generosity Maui County Federal Credit Union and its members who have helped support children suffering from abuse or neglect in their healing process,” said Paul Tonnessen, Executive Director, Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of Maui.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and the Ho’oikaika Partnership invites the Maui Nui community to join in promoting activities that strengthen ‘ohana, support the healthy development of keiki, and prevent child maltreatment.

Today, a new statewide framework for Hawaiʻi was published to help individuals, communities and lawmakers prevent child abuse and neglect. 

These unrestricted funds will support MFSS’s Maui County Early Childhood Resource Center to help at least 25 families with up to $200 per month in subsidy for summer child care tuition in a time of need that can alleviate stress and worry for parents and enable them to continue stable, nurturing care for their children, thereby reducing the risk of child abuse and neglect.

Funding will support the agency’s Ho‘owaiwai Kaiāulu Project, which provides a continuum of services that promote the Protective Factors within families of children and youth in Maui County.

Maui Family Support Services, Inc. is the recipient of a $664,584 grant for the islands of Maui and Lāna‘i and a $60,244 grant for the island of Moloka‘i from the Hawaii Department of Human Services.

Big Island detectives are investigating circumstances that led to the hospitalization of a child from Puna.

The one-night-only “Ono” presentation features a toy drive, with all items collected going to The Friends of The Children’s Justice Center.

Peter Kema Sr. today was sentenced this morning to 20 years in jail. The sentence was based on a manslaughter conviction in the death of his son.

State circuit judge Glenn J. Kim sentenced Donovan Soto to ten years in prison for disseminating and possessing child pornography.

Here on Maui, a free Keiki Fest will be held on the Great Lawn of the University of Hawaiʻi College campus from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 9, 2016.

Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of Maui and Ho‘oikaika Partnership invite Maui County keiki and families to attend a special kick-off event to help celebrate National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April.

This month the Hoʻoikaika Partnership on Maui is working to raise awareness about child abuse prevention in observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month and the Month of the Young Child.