Hawaii Opened New Facility for Foster Children
The state launched a specialized program on Oʻahu to end the practice of housing foster youth in government offices.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Child Care
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In August 2026, the Hawaii Department of Human Services opened an 18-bed residential facility on Oʻahu to provide temporary housing for foster children with high behavioral or developmental needs. The initiative, known as Keiki Now, aims to ensure youth no longer stay overnight in government office spaces.
Why it matters
This shift addresses the long-standing issue of staff burnout and safety risks associated with housing children in non-residential office settings. By providing dedicated clinical environments, the state seeks to better support youth who have experienced complex trauma.
Between 2023 and 2025, more than 30 children slept in department offices or hotels, a practice that ceased in August 2026. The department reports the new facility currently serves six children, aged eight to 17, as it scales toward an 18-bed capacity.
The players
Hawaii Department of Human Services
The state agency responsible for overseeing child welfare, foster care placement, and family support services.
Pacific Health Alliance
A health services organization providing 24-hour behavioral health and clinical support staff for the Keiki Now program.
The details
The Keiki Now program utilizes leased three-bedroom homes equipped with outdoor space to provide a more stable residential environment. Pacific Health Alliance staff offer 24-hour behavioral health support, employing crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques tailored for children with complex developmental or behavioral needs.
Timeline
In 2021, the monthly average foster care population was 1,555.
In 2023, 14 children slept in government offices or hotels.
In September 2025, the department spent $63,000 on staff overtime.
On August 2, 2026, the last child slept in a department office.
In August 2026, the department began leasing the 18-bed facility.
Health Landscape
The establishment of the Keiki Now facility follows three meetings of the Hawaii Department of Human Services foster care task force. This development marks the culmination of the task force's efforts to address administrative barriers to stable foster care placements.
Families and caregivers involved with the foster system can look to these new clinical resources as a way to provide trauma-informed support for children. Questions regarding the eligibility or support structure of this facility are worth discussing with a social worker or case manager.
The takeaway
The move to dedicated residential housing reflects a broader effort to stabilize care for children with high behavioral needs. Caregivers and concerned residents should track the program's outcomes to see how these behavioral health interventions affect long-term youth well-being.
Further reading
For additional context on how local services are evolving, visit the Child Care section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by San Francisco Gate.
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