Social Services Highlight

Hui Ho‘omalu: Ahn ‘Ohana

Initially I was concerned because we wanted to share our blessings, and I really wanted to help children “ in need, and families in need. But I was a little apprehensive because I always asked myself, ‘I want to help other children but am I ready to help other children at the cost of my children?’ ”

Our foster care program, Hui Ho‘omalu, has had as its goal the reunification of families. While social workers strive to get families back to a place of health and security, their keiki need a home with a loving family that supports them until that day comes. The Ahn’s are just one of the many families that have chosen to make a difference in our communities.

Robyn is the Principal at Kaimuki Christian School and Eun is an Economics professor at University of Hawai‘i. They have four children of their own and a desire to help children and families in need. Upon searching for ways to share their blessings, they came across Hui Ho‘omalu and thought that fostering was a great option. The Ahn’s have been fostering for nine months. They were commited to fostering with the idea that it was about reuniting the children with their parents.

RecommendeD 900+ Homes For licenses “ He was a loving child who wanted to be loved and the first question he came to us was, ‘how long am I staying with you?’ ”

1300 children IN foster homes

So our first placement, we didn’t know what to expect. He was a loving child who wanted to be loved and the first question he came to us was, ‘how long am I staying with you?’ I looked at my husband and he said, ‘however long you “ want to stay here.’ I just didn’t expect that question and then I thought about it later; I knew what he was thinking.

Basically, what are you to me in a sense of, ‘am I just here for two days or two weeks?’ So I think after my husband reassured him, you’re welcome to stay here as long as you need to. He just felt so much better and I could just see it in him that he felt reassured that it was going to be okay. ” 10