Hawaii will just barely meet the July 1 deadline to form the group. Although panels are being talked about for Oahu and the Big Island, only Kauai is close to being ready. Lawmakers and child welfare advocates questioned department policies that repeatedly returned him to a dangerous home. In the months that followed, other controversial cases came to light, including the death of Cedra Edwards and the disappearance of Peter Boy Kema. Both were in protective foster custody at some point.
Somebody needs to be able to look at it and make that assessment.
I will certainly take every recommendation from them very seriously. After some initial training, panel members will choose their own direction. They could pick anything within the system. Since 1996 the department has investigated about 5,000 reports of abuse and neglect each year. About half are confirmed statewide and by the counties, except for Kauai County, where 30 to 40 percent of cases are confirmed.