HI ISABELLA KALUA: Missing from Waimanalo, HI - 12 Sept 2021 - Age 6 *ARREST*

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CrimeSpotter: HPD searching for missing six-year-old Isabella Kalua​

CrimeStoppers and the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) are seeking the public’s assistance in locating missing six-year-old Isabella Kalua.

She was last seen in her room at her Waimanalo home on Sunday, Sept. 12. at around 9 pm.

‘We need all of Hawaii’: Police encourage community to rally together to locate 6-year-old girl in Waimanalo​

CrimeStoppers and the Honolulu Police Department are seeking the public’s help in locating 6-year-old Isabella Kalua who went missing from her home on Puha St. in Waimanalo on Sunday, Sept. 12.

“We need all of Hawaii. Please rally together in helping us bring her home,” Sgt. Chris Kim of CrimeStoppers said on Monday.

Kalua was last seen sleeping in her room at approximately 9 p.m. Sunday. She was wearing a black hoodie, black leggings, colorful socks and Nike slides with pink bottoms.

A family member said Isabella and her three siblings were recently adopted by the family. The family member told KHON 2 News Child Protective Services took the siblings from the home as the search for Isabella continues.

Police have opened a missing person case. There is no Maile Amber Alert due to certain criteria not being met.

“I think it’s fair to say that until she’s recovered, HPD is not going to stop looking for her,” Kim said.


MEDIA - ISABELLA KALUA: Missing from Waimanalo, HI since 12 Sept 2021 - Age 6
 
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Isabella Kalua’s Death Has Yet To Trigger A Clear Plan To Bolster Child Protection​

It has been seven months since 6-year-old Isabella Kalua was reported missing from her Waimanalo home, and five months after her adoptive parents were indicted for her murder, and state lawmakers say they still haven’t seen a clear plan or even a stopgap proposal for repairing Hawaii’s struggling child welfare system.

Isabella’s disappearance triggered a community uproar, but the state Department of Human Services did not request a significant budget increase for the Child Welfare Services Division this year, nor did it announce plans to seek changes to state laws, rules or policies to help the agency do its job more effectively.

The department has never explained to the public or the Legislature what went wrong in the Kalua case — DHS says it cannot discuss the matter, citing confidentiality requirements — and that muted response has left Hawaii lawmakers to cobble together their own proposals this year to try to improve the system.

The department’s reticence may turn out to be a strategic mistake. The state this year has an enormous budget surplus of $2 billion or more, making this an ideal time to ask for money to expand social programs, hire staff or fund contracts to beef up the system. If Hawaii’s roller-coaster economy abruptly lands in another recession, that will all change.

Lawmakers are now less than two weeks away from their scheduled adjournment for the year, and House Finance Committee Chairwoman Sylvia Luke said Tuesday she still doesn’t have a good fix on where the agency wants to go “or the recognition that there’s a problem and they need to do something about it.”

“You would think this is an opportunity for them to say ‘You know what? Money is not the issue right now, so what do we need to do to help this agency?’ And that’s not happening,” she said.
 

Isabella Kalua’s Death Has Yet To Trigger A Clear Plan To Bolster Child Protection​

It has been seven months since 6-year-old Isabella Kalua was reported missing from her Waimanalo home, and five months after her adoptive parents were indicted for her murder, and state lawmakers say they still haven’t seen a clear plan or even a stopgap proposal for repairing Hawaii’s struggling child welfare system.

Isabella’s disappearance triggered a community uproar, but the state Department of Human Services did not request a significant budget increase for the Child Welfare Services Division this year, nor did it announce plans to seek changes to state laws, rules or policies to help the agency do its job more effectively.

The department has never explained to the public or the Legislature what went wrong in the Kalua case — DHS says it cannot discuss the matter, citing confidentiality requirements — and that muted response has left Hawaii lawmakers to cobble together their own proposals this year to try to improve the system.

The department’s reticence may turn out to be a strategic mistake. The state this year has an enormous budget surplus of $2 billion or more, making this an ideal time to ask for money to expand social programs, hire staff or fund contracts to beef up the system. If Hawaii’s roller-coaster economy abruptly lands in another recession, that will all change.

Lawmakers are now less than two weeks away from their scheduled adjournment for the year, and House Finance Committee Chairwoman Sylvia Luke said Tuesday she still doesn’t have a good fix on where the agency wants to go “or the recognition that there’s a problem and they need to do something about it.”

“You would think this is an opportunity for them to say ‘You know what? Money is not the issue right now, so what do we need to do to help this agency?’ And that’s not happening,” she said.
First of all they leave it to the agencies to decide what needs fixing?! Second of all, throwing money at a broken system is never the answer imo even if they do need more help, etc., too often more $$ are thrown that way to shut people up basically and hope they forget about the issues until the next time.

These agencies have too much power and the confidentiality thing needs changes because it is the excuse in almost every single case. The West boys is another example. People have to yell and push to ask what happened and generally are ignored, confidentiality is cited or it has to continue (the yelling and attention) until maybe the state board investigates or something... Then a report might be issued with recommendations orders to fix a couple of things and that's it in a nutshell, maybe a slap on the hand or removal of an employee.

It may not have been CPS but in the Serenity Dennard case, it took a LOT and finally yes an investigation was done and the DIRECTOR was not even fired or let go.

The Andrew Freund case in Illinois, that is another where people are very upset and what is being done??!! Major problems.

Anyhow, this is inexcusable and I'm really not sure it is the agency alone that should be doing something about it. There need to be sweeping changes if you ask me.

And that adoption law needs to go where extra incentive money is given the more adoptions that are completed. I don't know what the answer is but that "ain't" it.
 

Isabella Kalua home in Waimanalo goes up for sale​

It’s been more than seven months since the adoptive parents of Isabella Kalua — also known as Ariel Sellers — were arrested in connection with her disappearance. The case drew national attention and encouraged the community to rally together to find Isabella, who was then six years old.

In November, officials with the Honolulu Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation raided the home located at 41-610 Puha St. in Waimanalo. Today, it’s for sale.

According to Zillow, the home was listed for $625,000 on Monday, June 13. It was built in 2017 and has four bedrooms, three bathrooms and three carport spaces. KHON2 reached out to the listing agents for comment and has not received a response at this time.

Police believe Isabella was murdered by her adoptive parents in August, a month before they reported her missing. Her remains have not been recovered, and there are no other suspects at this time.
 

Isabella Kalua’s Death Has Yet To Trigger A Clear Plan To Bolster Child Protection​

It has been seven months since 6-year-old Isabella Kalua was reported missing from her Waimanalo home, and five months after her adoptive parents were indicted for her murder, and state lawmakers say they still haven’t seen a clear plan or even a stopgap proposal for repairing Hawaii’s struggling child welfare system.

Isabella’s disappearance triggered a community uproar, but the state Department of Human Services did not request a significant budget increase for the Child Welfare Services Division this year, nor did it announce plans to seek changes to state laws, rules or policies to help the agency do its job more effectively.

The department has never explained to the public or the Legislature what went wrong in the Kalua case — DHS says it cannot discuss the matter, citing confidentiality requirements — and that muted response has left Hawaii lawmakers to cobble together their own proposals this year to try to improve the system.

The department’s reticence may turn out to be a strategic mistake. The state this year has an enormous budget surplus of $2 billion or more, making this an ideal time to ask for money to expand social programs, hire staff or fund contracts to beef up the system. If Hawaii’s roller-coaster economy abruptly lands in another recession, that will all change.

Lawmakers are now less than two weeks away from their scheduled adjournment for the year, and House Finance Committee Chairwoman Sylvia Luke said Tuesday she still doesn’t have a good fix on where the agency wants to go “or the recognition that there’s a problem and they need to do something about it.”

“You would think this is an opportunity for them to say ‘You know what? Money is not the issue right now, so what do we need to do to help this agency?’ And that’s not happening,” she said.
Maybe they need a lawsuit or two and more attention needs to be on this just like on the West boys case and Andrew Freund's and those agencies. Confidentiality can go too far when it comes to child placement agencies and wrongdoing.
 

Isabella Kalua home in Waimanalo goes up for sale​

It’s been more than seven months since the adoptive parents of Isabella Kalua — also known as Ariel Sellers — were arrested in connection with her disappearance. The case drew national attention and encouraged the community to rally together to find Isabella, who was then six years old.

In November, officials with the Honolulu Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation raided the home located at 41-610 Puha St. in Waimanalo. Today, it’s for sale.

According to Zillow, the home was listed for $625,000 on Monday, June 13. It was built in 2017 and has four bedrooms, three bathrooms and three carport spaces. KHON2 reached out to the listing agents for comment and has not received a response at this time.

Police believe Isabella was murdered by her adoptive parents in August, a month before they reported her missing. Her remains have not been recovered, and there are no other suspects at this time.
Hmm. NIce new home. Any of it ill gotten gains? Sarcasm meaning $$$ from fostering and adopting. Raising defense funds?
 
Maybe they need a lawsuit or two and more attention needs to be on this just like on the West boys case and Andrew Freund's and those agencies. Confidentiality can go too far when it comes to child placement agencies and wrongdoing.
I completely agree. One case is too many. But it just keeps happening with no accountability. The workers need to be penalized severely along with the agencies. No more excuses! Something needs to happen fast! NO MORE!
 
I completely agree. One case is too many. But it just keeps happening with no accountability. The workers need to be penalized severely along with the agencies. No more excuses! Something needs to happen fast! NO MORE!
This whole world is like that I agree. We just get to watch it go on and they do NOTHING. It is disgusting. They get away with it without even a slap on the hand. If people yell for years while they keep in each case waiting for it to die down, focus to go away and shove it under the rug, but yelling finally makes them do something if we continue it, they have a state agency look it over maybe make recommendations, slap a hand, fire a lower level worker and call it "fixed" and proceed with really NO consequences... And on top of it all there is S$$$ behind it all not the sake of the children, etc. It is DISGUSTING!!!
 

‘Where is she?’ a year after Isabella Kalua’s disappearance​

It’s been almost a year since six-year-old Isabella Kalua, also known as Ariel Sellers, was reported missing. Her adoptive parents remain in custody awaiting trial for her murder, but the little girl’s body still hasn’t been found. Her biological family is holding on to hope they’ll one day be able to lay her to rest and are planning a vigil to honor her memory.

September 12th marks one year since little Isabella was first reported missing by her adoptive parents Lehua and Isaac Kalua.

It’s not the kind of anniversary anyone looks forward to.

“It’s way overwhelming for us,” said Lana Idao, Isabella’s biological aunt. “We thought we would find her really fast, but unfortunately no. We’re still looking.”


The family is holding a candlelight vigil in Isabella’s honor Saturday, Sept. 17 at 5:30 p.m. at Waimanalo District Park.

Idao said they are meeting in front of the Kalua’s former house to put lei and flowers on the make-shift memorial along the fence before heading to the park. She said all are welcome. Anyone planning to come should bring candles, horns and signs.

The Kaluas are being held without bail. They’re charged with murder, hindering prosecution, and multiple counts of endangering the welfare of a minor. Their trial is set for February 2023.
 

A year after the disappearance of Isabella Ariel Kalua, challenges still face Hawaii's foster care program​

Over the past few years, there has actually been a drop in the number of children in the state's foster care program. Part of that is because the state provides more support services to keep children in their own homes, but the system still faces a number of challenges.

There are challenges facing Hawaii's foster families, including a shortage of staff who can help when caregivers need it most.

"They are in crisis when dealing with kids and their behaviors and all the trauma. To help them cope with that -- is really challenging," said Kintaro Yonekura, the Asst. Program Development Administrator with DHS' Child Welfare Services.

"There needs to be more social workers - the positions are there but we need people to apply," added O'Connell.

The state says there are 50 vacant positions statewide, some of those include social workers.

"We need more social workers to help even out the case load, and get more eyes on the families in the homes," said Yonekura.

A bill that would have allowed for more monitoring of foster families was passed by lawmakers this legislative session but vetoed by Governor David Ige.

Foster families and support service providers say that oversight is important.

"Making sure we have regular checkups and people go in the home. Making sure the workers see how the dynamics between kids and parents are interacting. That is key because it can prevent things from escalating," said Jonathan Mendoza, a Foster Family Trainer with Catholic Charities.
 

By Annalisa Burgos
Published: Oct. 10, 2022 at 3:40 AM EDT|Updated: Oct. 10, 2022 at 4:51 PM EDT

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Twin brothers from South Carolina are raising awareness for kids in foster care by walking at least 20 miles in all 50 states.

Davon and Tavon Woods were taken from their biological family at birth and placed into the foster care system.

The twins were in Honolulu last week and walked from Waimanalo to the State Capitol — dedicating six miles to 6-year-old Isabella Ariel Kalua and three miles to 3-year-old Fabian Garcia, both of whom died in foster care in Hawaii.
 

By Annalisa Burgos
Published: Oct. 10, 2022 at 3:40 AM EDT|Updated: Oct. 10, 2022 at 4:51 PM EDT

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Twin brothers from South Carolina are raising awareness for kids in foster care by walking at least 20 miles in all 50 states.

Davon and Tavon Woods were taken from their biological family at birth and placed into the foster care system.

The twins were in Honolulu last week and walked from Waimanalo to the State Capitol — dedicating six miles to 6-year-old Isabella Ariel Kalua and three miles to 3-year-old Fabian Garcia, both of whom died in foster care in Hawaii.
Wow. And yet nothing is being done in Hawaii to change their system.
 

Home where missing 6-year-old was last seen is sold as adoptive parents face murder trial​

The Waimanalo home where 6-year-old Isabella “Ariel” Kalua was last seen in 2021 has sold.

The house on Puha Street belonged to her adoptive parents ― Isaac and Lehua Kalua ― who are now in jail.

They’re both awaiting their murder trial, which is set to begin May 1.

Prosecutors say the child was starved and locked in a dog cage, but her body was never found.

The four-bed, three bath property sold for $625,000.

The Kaluas are due back in court Thursday for a status hearing.
 

Judge rules Isabella ‘Ariel’ Kalua dead, opening door for siblings to sue state​

A circuit court judge ruled Thursday that Isabella “Ariel” Kalua is dead — opening the door for her siblings to sue the state.

The matter was handled in probate court where the judge ruled that the missing 6-year-old died on or around Aug. 18, 2021.

Kalua’s body was never found.

Her adopted parents, Isaac and Lehua Kalua are charged with murder.

The judge also approved representatives for her siblings.

A lawyer representing the siblings told the court they were running out of time to file the civil case.

“There is a statute of limitations for a civil filing that will expire shortly waiting for the criminal case would do irreparable harm to these minors and the estate,” said Scott Suzuki, the attorney for Isabella “Ariel” Kalua’s estate.

Trial for the parents is set for August 28.
 

Trial set to start for adoptive parents accused of killing 6-year-old girl​

The highly anticipated murder trial for the adoptive parents of Isabella Kalua, who are accused of starving, beating, caging and killing the 6-year-old Waimanalo girl two years ago, remains on the court calendar for Aug. 28 after a status conference Friday.

Friday’s conference, held via Zoom and closed to the public, was attended by court-appointed attorneys Jason Burks for Lehua Kalua; Alan Komagome, standing in for Donovan Odo, who represents Isaac “Sonny” Kalua III; and deputy prosecutors Tiffany Kaeo and Erica Candelario, appearing for the state. Circuit Judge Paul Wong will hold another off-the- record status conference Aug. 25.
 

Trial set to start for adoptive parents accused of killing 6-year-old girl​

The highly anticipated murder trial for the adoptive parents of Isabella Kalua, who are accused of starving, beating, caging and killing the 6-year-old Waimanalo girl two years ago, remains on the court calendar for Aug. 28 after a status conference Friday.

Friday’s conference, held via Zoom and closed to the public, was attended by court-appointed attorneys Jason Burks for Lehua Kalua; Alan Komagome, standing in for Donovan Odo, who represents Isaac “Sonny” Kalua III; and deputy prosecutors Tiffany Kaeo and Erica Candelario, appearing for the state. Circuit Judge Paul Wong will hold another off-the- record status conference Aug. 25.
CLOSED to the public, a simple status conference.

Mel, see, another "caging" here.

What is going on with the agency that allowed these "people" to adopt this child? What consequences? I say "parents" loosely as they are animals instead. Isn't it ironic that human animals put children in cages when the animals are the parents or caregivers in most of these cases. The child isn't the animal and it's the parents that belong in the cage. I feel bad though calling them animals because animals shouldn't be compared to these monsters.
 

By John Hill
September 14, 2023

Will anyone ever have to answer for Ariel Sellers’ death?


I’m not talking about her adoptive parents, Isaac and Lehua Kalua. They are accused of keeping the 6-year-old girl they renamed Isabella in a dog cage with her mouth duct-taped so she would not roam the house at night seeking the food they failed to provide. A trial early next year will decide the Waimanalo couple’s fate.

No, I am talking instead about the public servants and government contractors who took part in handing her over to the Kaluas.

To be clear, I am not equating the actions of these public officials with the horrible crimes that led to arguably the most notorious child abuse case in recent Hawaii history. But they are professionals with great responsibilities – and when something goes very wrong, as it did here, they should be held accountable.

It’s easy – but not always fair – to second-guess child welfare officials. Social workers cannot be expected to always know which of the many parents and foster caregivers they oversee are going to do something horrible. Sometimes no one outside the family has any reason to suspect bad things are happening behind closed doors.

This was not such a case. The Kaluas had criminal records that would have been enough for the Department of Human Services to reject them as foster parents, much less adoptive parents. They were in financial straits that also could have disqualified them.

And a lawsuit now alleges that there were several reports to the state and others that the Kaluas were abusing Ariel for more than a year before she disappeared. They are, of course, just allegations, but the lawsuit gives very specific details, including dates, places and people. And Ariel’s biological mother Melanie Joseph told Civil Beat she also warned state social workers about her fears that Ariel was being abused.

The poor girl is dead after unimaginable suffering. But what do we know about the actions of the various state social workers, contractors and court officials?

Almost nothing.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Much more at link. ~Summer
 

By John Hill
September 14, 2023

Will anyone ever have to answer for Ariel Sellers’ death?


I’m not talking about her adoptive parents, Isaac and Lehua Kalua. They are accused of keeping the 6-year-old girl they renamed Isabella in a dog cage with her mouth duct-taped so she would not roam the house at night seeking the food they failed to provide. A trial early next year will decide the Waimanalo couple’s fate.

No, I am talking instead about the public servants and government contractors who took part in handing her over to the Kaluas.

To be clear, I am not equating the actions of these public officials with the horrible crimes that led to arguably the most notorious child abuse case in recent Hawaii history. But they are professionals with great responsibilities – and when something goes very wrong, as it did here, they should be held accountable.

It’s easy – but not always fair – to second-guess child welfare officials. Social workers cannot be expected to always know which of the many parents and foster caregivers they oversee are going to do something horrible. Sometimes no one outside the family has any reason to suspect bad things are happening behind closed doors.

This was not such a case. The Kaluas had criminal records that would have been enough for the Department of Human Services to reject them as foster parents, much less adoptive parents. They were in financial straits that also could have disqualified them.

And a lawsuit now alleges that there were several reports to the state and others that the Kaluas were abusing Ariel for more than a year before she disappeared. They are, of course, just allegations, but the lawsuit gives very specific details, including dates, places and people. And Ariel’s biological mother Melanie Joseph told Civil Beat she also warned state social workers about her fears that Ariel was being abused.

The poor girl is dead after unimaginable suffering. But what do we know about the actions of the various state social workers, contractors and court officials?

Almost nothing.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Much more at link. ~Summer
GOOD for him. This most definitely is one that heads should roll over and yet there seems to be no big hue and cry by the public but there SHOULD be. Their inactions and actions and decisions should be PUBLIC in this matter AND their names and what each did or did not do. This imo should include leadership as well.

No one is even shocked any longer that CHILDREN are taken from imperfect parents who may in many cases love them and at least be better than the pure monsters that fit NO CRITERIA to care for a child they are being given to and put into the hands of! And THEN they don't FOLLOW UP. I know this is not true of all bio parents but I still think it probably rare the parents were what these people were. The WHOLE goal should be to put them somewhere better and safer and they ARE NOT DOING that nor even following any strict criteria, he77 a lot of them seem to have NO criteria. If that's the case, they may as well leave them where they ARE rather than taking them.

And I don't know that I agree with the "not criminally charged" in some of these cases. Imo they are partly responsible for the torture of some of these children in this nation AND subsequent death.
 

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