Punana Leo O Waianae Hi'i Pepe

Facility is closed for summer break. Upon reopening August 04, 2025, a licensing visit needs to be conducted to ensure compliance with Hawaii Administrative Rules and child care laws.

Citation

17-895.1-11 (a)(20) The facility shall have written operation policies which cover the following areas: Mandated reporting of suspected child abuse or neglect in accordance with chapter 350, HRS

Findings

Child Care Licensing (CCL) workers found that the staff failed to abide by the policy to report allegations of suspected child abuse or neglect to the Department of Human Services (DHS), or Child Welfare services (CWS) as required by law. Although staff observed direct acts of Physical and verbal abuse committed by the Director, they did not follow the facility's mandated reporting policy, which constitutes a failure to protect children in care and a violation of 17-895.1-11(a)(20).

Corrective actions and recommendations

All staff must complete Mandated Reporter Training and/or PATCH Child abuse and neglect training.

All staff must complete Stress and Trauma with infants and Young children, Positive Discipline, Temperament and Secure relationships, and Teaching Positive Behaviors I & II.

Citation

§17-895.1-25 (b)(2)(F)(i) and (ii) Program Provisions: which states, "The director of the facility shall provide the department with a brief written description of the facility's program goals and activities, which shall include the following: (F) Prohibition of us of: (i) Physical punishment, abuse, or harm including but not limited to spanking, pinching, slapping, or shaking; or (ii) methods of influencing behavior which are frightening, humiliating, damaging, neglectful or injurious to the infant or toddler's health or self-esteem."

Findings

DHS find the allegations were confirmed after interviewing the staff who provided eyewitness accounts that Director used methods of influencing behavior which were frightening, humiliating, damaging, or injurious to the infant or toddler's health or self-esteem. It was also confirmed by staff that Director used physical punishment against children in care. The facility did not have written description of the goals which included the prohibition of use of physical punishment, abuse, or harm.

Corrective actions and recommendations

Aha Punana Leo shall provide the department written description of the facility's program goals and activities, which shall include the following: Provisions for (F) Prohibition of us of: (i) Physical punishment, abuse, or harm including but not limited to spanking, pinching, slapping, or shaking; or (ii) methods of influencing behavior which are frightening, humiliating, damaging, neglectful or injurious to the infant or toddler's health or self-esteem."

Additionally, they shall create and submit written procedures added to their staff handbook for staff to report concerns to someone other than the Director if the concern is for the director.

Furthermore, DHS recommends that all staff are given a copy of and provided a review of the facility's written program goals and activities and must complete guidance training through PATCH, specifically, Positive Discipline (Class #203).

Citation

17-895.1-47 (k) Food shall not be used as a punishment or reward.

Findings

CCL workers confirmed that Director used food as a punishment through witness interviews.

Corrective actions and recommendations

DHS recommends that all staff go through daily nutritional needs training through PATCH such as: It's Not Just Routine (Class #505), Health, Safety & Nutrition (Class #506) and Healthy Portions, Healthy Choices (Class #520)

Citation

(a) Notwithstanding any other state law concerning confidentiality to the contrary, the following persons who, in their professional or official capacity, have reason to believe that child abuse or neglect has occurred or that there exists a substantial risk that child abuse or neglect may occur in the reasonably foreseeable future, shall immediately report the matter orally to the department or to the police department:

(2) Employees or officers of any public or private school;

Findings

CCL workers found that through the complaint investigation and interviews with staff that the staff believed that the behaviors they witnessed by the Director were abusive but failed to report allegations of child abuse or neglect.

Corrective actions and recommendations

Aha Punana Leo shall have written acknowledgment from each staff member that the Mandated Reporter Policy was reviewed in their Policy Handbook and shall also have it written in the Employee handbook and reviewed by the CCL worker assigned.

Citation

§17-895.1-25 (b)(2)(F)(i) and (ii) Program Provisions: which states, "The director of the facility shall provide the department with a brief written description of the facility's program goals and activities, which shall include the following: (F) Prohibition of us of: (i) Physical punishment, abuse, or harm including but not limited to spanking, pinching, slapping, or shaking; or (ii) methods of influencing behavior which are frightening, humiliating, damaging, neglectful or injurious to the infant or toddler's health or self-esteem."

Findings

DHS find the allegations were confirmed after interviewing the staff who provided eyewitness accounts that Director used methods of influencing behavior which were frightening, humiliating, damaging, or injurious to the infant or toddler's health or self-esteem. It was also confirmed by staff that Director used physical punishment against children in care. The facility did not have written description of the goals which included the prohibition of use of physical punishment, abuse, or harm.

Corrective actions and recommendations

Aha Punana Leo shall provide the department written description of the facility's program goals and activities, which shall include the following: Provisions for (F) Prohibition of us of: (i) Physical punishment, abuse, or harm including but not limited to spanking, pinching, slapping, or shaking; or (ii) methods of influencing behavior which are frightening, humiliating, damaging, neglectful or injurious to the infant or toddler's health or self-esteem."

Additionally, they shall create and submit written procedures added to their staff handbook for staff to report concerns to someone other than the Director if the concern is for the director.

Furthermore, DHS recommends that all staff are given a copy of and provided a review of the facility's written program goals and activities and must complete guidance training through PATCH, specifically, Positive Discipline (Class #203).

Citation

17-895.1-47 (k) Food shall not be used as a punishment or reward.

Findings

CCL workers confirmed that Director used food as a punishment through witness interviews.

Corrective actions and recommendations

DHS recommends that all staff go through daily nutritional needs training through PATCH such as: It's Not Just Routine (Class #505), Health, Safety & Nutrition (Class #506) and Healthy Portions, Healthy Choices (Class #520)

Citation

17-895.1-11 (a)(20) The facility shall have written operation policies which cover the following areas: Mandated reporting of suspected child abuse or neglect in accordance with chapter 350, HRS

Findings

Child Care Licensing (CCL) workers found that the staff failed to abide by the policy to report allegations of suspected child abuse or neglect to the Department of Human Services (DHS), or Child Welfare services (CWS) as required by law. Although staff observed direct acts of Physical and verbal abuse committed by the Director, they did not follow the facility's mandated reporting policy, which constitutes a failure to protect children in care and a violation of 17-895.1-11(a)(20).

Corrective actions and recommendations

All staff must complete Mandated Reporter Training and/or PATCH Child abuse and neglect training.

All staff must complete Stress and Trauma with infants and Young children, Positive Discipline, Temperament and Secure relationships, and Teaching Positive Behaviors I & II.

On 12/12/25 received addendum to the policies that included procedures for reporting child abuse. However did not complete corrective actions and recommendations and training recommendations.

As of 06/10/26 program staff have not completed the following training, stress and trauma with infant and young children,Positive Discipline, Temperament and Secure relationships, and Teaching Positive Behaviors I & II.

Citation

(a) Notwithstanding any other state law concerning confidentiality to the contrary, the following persons who, in their professional or official capacity, have reason to believe that child abuse or neglect has occurred or that there exists a substantial risk that child abuse or neglect may occur in the reasonably foreseeable future, shall immediately report the matter orally to the department or to the police department:

(2) Employees or officers of any public or private school;

Findings

CCL workers found that through the complaint investigation and interviews with staff that the staff believed that the behaviors they witnessed by the Director were abusive but failed to report allegations of child abuse or neglect.

Corrective actions and recommendations

Aha Punana Leo shall have written acknowledgment from each staff member that the Mandated Reporter Policy was reviewed in their Policy Handbook and shall also have it written in the Employee handbook and reviewed by the CCL worker assigned.

Facility is currently closed and will reopen August 2024. Upon reopening, a licensing visit will be conducted to observe children in care, staff-child interaction, and review children and staff records. A Regular license may be issued once facility is deemed compliant with all Hawaii Administrative Rules and child care laws.

Two staff members do not have current child abuse/neglect checks completed.

Please submit updated DHS 948's for staff member #1 and staff member #2. If they are no longer employed, please submit the DHS 974A Notification of Changes form to remove them from the staff listing.

Two staff members do not have current criminal history checks completed.

Please submit updated DHS 948's for staff member #1 and staff member #2. If they are no longer employed, please submit the DHS 974A Notification of Changes form to remove them from the staff listing.

No statement of grievance procedures in policy handbook.

No physical exam clearance for one staff member.

Please submit DHS 984 Medical Report for staff member #3.

No TB clearance for one staff member.

Please submit TB clearance for staff member #3.

Four staff have not completed annual safe sleep training.