Hawaii Opened Residential Facility for Foster Children
The state ended the practice of housing children in government offices by launching a new specialized 18-bed facility.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Child Care
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In August 2026, the Hawaii Department of Human Services opened a new residential facility for foster children, marking an end to the use of government offices as temporary housing. The Keiki Now program currently provides support for six children aged eight to 17 who have complex behavioral or developmental needs.
Why it matters
The program was created to address a critical lack of foster homes capable of supporting children with complex trauma while mitigating safety risks and staff burnout. By providing a dedicated living space, the department aims to end the practice of housing vulnerable youth in office settings, which saw more than 30 children impacted between 2023 and 2025.
The Keiki Now program costs $3.2 million for its first year and provides 18 beds across multiple three-bedroom homes. This facility replaces previous arrangements that cost the department $63,000 in staff overtime during September 2025 alone.
The players
Department of Human Services
This Hawaii state agency manages the local foster care system and coordinates social services for vulnerable families.
Pacific Health Alliance
This organization provides the clinical and behavioral health staffing for the new foster care residential facility.
Keiki Now
This program offers temporary housing and specialized therapeutic support for foster children with high behavioral needs.
The details
Pacific Health Alliance staff provide 24-hour clinical and behavioral support to children at the Oʻahu-based facility. The homes feature outdoor spaces for activities and utilize crisis intervention techniques to manage the specific needs of youth with high behavioral or developmental requirements.
Timeline
The department reported a monthly foster care average of 1,555 children in 2021.
A total of 14 children stayed in government offices or hotels during 2023.
The department spent $63,000 on staff overtime in September 2025.
The last child stayed in a department office on August 2, 2026.
The department began leasing the new residential facility in August 2026.
Culture Shift
This transition reflects a broader societal move toward trauma-informed care within state foster systems. It follows the pattern set by the Department of Human Services' initiative to address office-based foster placements by moving away from institutional office settings.
Residents in the local community can expect improved safety outcomes for youth placed in the state's care. By shifting resources to specialized homes, the state aims to provide a more stable environment for foster children while reducing the administrative burden on social work staff.
The takeaway
The move to dedicated residential housing underscores a shift toward prioritizing specialized clinical support for children with trauma histories. This approach offers a more humane alternative to office-based supervision and supports the long-term well-being of youth in foster care.
Further reading
Learn more about local support services on the Child Care section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by San Francisco Gate.
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