Star-Advertiser special report on the risks facing abused children.
They are essential to the success of Hawaii's child welfare system. They take in abused and neglected children, some with complicated physical or emotional problems, and temporarily care for them, house them and nurture them. Read more
The state pays about $250,000 a year for an insurance policy to cover state-licensed foster parents. Read more
In August of last year, Paul and Cathy-Anne McKimmy became foster parents to two boys. The younger child, 6, stayed with them for several months; his older brother, 11, for about nine months. Read more
Judge R. Mark Browning agrees with this assessment: The public gets a skewed view of Hawaii's Child Protective Services system. Read more
The number of confirmed child abuse cases in Hawaii has dropped by more than half since 2005. Mirroring that trend, the number of children needing foster care declined by nearly 50 percent. Read more
Not even 4 months old, Zion McKeown was hospitalized in 2008 with multiple cracked ribs. They weren't his first injuries from suspected abuse. P Tests revealed the infant had older rib and collarbone fractures that were healing. Alarmed, state officials temporarily removed Zion from his home. Read more
Here are four cases in which questions about the state's reunification strategy have been raised over the years: Reubyne Buentipo • Ronela Pascual • Zachary Dutro-Boggess • Five siblings Read more
By the time she was 2, the child had lived most of her life with the same two Oahu foster parents. The toddler had developed a strong bond with the couple and their family and considered their residence her home, according to court documents. Read more
