Department of Human Services

Due to continuing non-compliance with State Licensing of Group Child Care Centers and Group Child Care Homes regulatory requirements (HAR §17-892.1), the Department of Human Services (DHS) Childcare Licensing Unit has suspended the operating license of Kids Play Corner, Inc. dba Busy Buddies Hawaii, in Kailua Kona, Hawaii Island, effective Wednesday, July 3, 2013.  This is the second suspension of facility’s license this year.  The first occurred in February 2013.

The DHS Child Care Licensing Unit is responsible for ensuring the health, welfare and safety of children in licensed child care facilities.   Kid’s Play Corner, Inc., dba Busy Buddies Hawaii, first came to DHS attention in March 2009 when a Child Welfare Services (CWS) investigation confirmed that a staff member was a perpetrator of threat of abuse to a child in care at the center.  In May 2009, the DHS issued a notice to facility owners directing them to terminate employment of the staff member who was determined unsuitable to provide child care.  The individual was specifically banned from the premises during child care hours and/or when children were present.

Following the February suspension, the DHS Child Program Office offered and Busy Buddies Hawaii entered into a settlement agreement that prohibited the specific individual from stepping onto the property at any time, or directing operations and/or staff.

The July 3, 2013 license suspension occurred after the DHS received a complaint that the terms and conditions of the Settlement Agreement signed with Busy Buddies Hawaii on May 31, 2013 had been violated.  Busy Buddies Hawaii had been provisionally licensed from June 6, 2013 until September 15, 2013 for 40 children.

On July 5, 2013, Busy Buddies Hawaii co-owner Mr. Ricky Hanano, hand-delivered a letter to the DHS North Kona office saying he was voluntarily returning his operating license and that effective immediately, Busy Buddies Hawaii will not be operating a Group Child Care Center.  The DHS suspension will remain in place until the Child Care Licensing Unit completes its investigation.

Parents may contact the North Kona Child Care Licensing Office at (808) 327-4755 if they have any questions.  For parents who need to make alternative child care arrangements, DHS recommends contacting PATCH Hawaii at (808) 322-3500 for a list of child care providers in the area.

MEDIA CONTACTS: Kayla Rosenfeld, Communications Specialist & Public Information Officer
586-4892; [email protected]; https://humanservices.hawaii.gov