Hawaii Opened New Foster Facility in August
The Keiki Now program provides temporary housing for foster children, replacing the need for stays in government offices.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Child Care
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The Hawaii Department of Human Services launched an 18-bed residential facility on Oʻahu in August 2026 to provide temporary care for foster children with high behavioral or developmental needs. This initiative ended the practice of housing children in government offices.
Why it matters
The program was established to address a shortage of foster families equipped to manage children with complex trauma while alleviating safety risks and staff burnout associated with office-based placements. It represents a shift in state policy toward more supportive environments for children in the foster system.
The Keiki Now pilot program costs $3.2 million for its first year and currently serves six children aged eight to 17. This follows a period where the state spent $63,000 on staff overtime for office-based supervision in September 2025 alone.
The players
Hawaii Department of Human Services
The state agency responsible for child welfare, foster care placement, and family support services.
Pacific Health Alliance
A healthcare partner providing clinical staff, behavioral health support, and crisis intervention services at the new facility.
The details
The facility consists of multiple three-bedroom homes featuring outdoor space for activities. Staff from the Pacific Health Alliance provide 24-hour clinical support, utilizing crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques tailored to children with intensive behavioral needs.
Timeline
2021: Monthly average foster care population reached 1,555.
2023: 14 children were documented sleeping in government offices or hotels.
September 2025: Department spent $63,000 on staff overtime.
August 2, 2026: Last date a foster child slept in a department office.
August 2026: Department began leasing the 18-bed facility on Oʻahu.
The Home Front
This facility opening marks a departure from reliance on emergency office-based placements that occurred during the state's recent foster care population fluctuations. It follows a shift where the average number of children in foster care dropped from 1,555 in 2021 to 860 in 2025.
Families interested in becoming foster parents can contact the Department of Human Services to learn about training programs for supporting children with complex behavioral needs. Resources are available to help prospective families determine if they have the necessary environment and support.
The takeaway
The Keiki Now program provides a specialized residential setting to stabilize the foster care experience for children with high-needs behavioral profiles. Residents can contact the Department of Human Services for information on the current foster family application process.
Further reading
Learn more about local support services in the Child Care section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by San Francisco Gate.
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