Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 36, Number 12, 1 December 2019 — Ka 'Ohana Osorio [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Ka 'Ohana Osorio

The Osorios talked about fostering but the idea was quickly dismissed by worries about having enough money or room, or how their young children would be affected. But one day Mary Osorio got a eall from a friend. A baby girl needed temporary foster care - just three weeks - and could Mary help find a home for that child. As it happens, Mary was leaving her current job with nothing new lined up. The whole family discussed the situation and decided they could care for the baby for three weeks - no problem. With the goal of reunification, the Osorios were working with DHS and the family to get baby Lehua back to her parents. But drugs were involved and the birth mother soon relinquished her parental rights asking the Osorios to adopt her baby. This surprised them; they never intended to adopt - but after discussing it they agreed. "The longer she was with us, the more difficult it was to even consider separation," said Jon. But Lehua's biological father wanted his mother to raise the baby. Working with the Osorios over the next two years, the father formed a trust bond with Jon and at the final custody hearing, the father relinquished his rights. "It's important to work with the birth family in a healthy way," said Mary. "Sometimes it's hard. Our situation was full of drama, but it was the right thing to do." Those two years were full of uncertainty. The Osorios and their birth children had fallen in love with baby Lehua but knew she might not stay. But when Lehua was 2-1/2, the Osorios adopted her. "We had 40 people crammed into the courtroom. Jon had his guitar, we sang the doxology and our pastor did a blessing," recalls Mary. "It was a community event." J Community has been key to raising Lehua. Her birth I īhe Osorios say becoming a foster family was one of tfie most impor- A tant things they did for their biological children because it taught them M the importance of caring for others. Photos to the right include a wall m sign made years ago by daughter, Hali'a, whieh still adorns the girls' room today, and a few examples of Lehua's art. - Photos: Courtesy

mother used drugs during her pregnancy, and that had consequences. But support from the Osorios' personal network along with social workers and public heahh nurses, and resources from public and private agencies, made all the difference. "The IEP is your best friend in the public schools," noted Jon. Over the years, the Osorios carefully selected schools, obtained the health services she needed, and poured their love into Lehua, now 16, who is thriving. "I cannot imagine life without her," reflects Mary. "I don't know what she's going to do with her life, but she will do it with solid security and love from people who believe in her. She's this wonderful, joyous success story. It was so worth it to take the ehanee." "When Mary first told me about

Lehua I didn't know if I was ready," recalls Jon. We already had young children, my career was taking off, and I was about to take a sabbatical. And then Mary said, 'she's Hawaiian.'" "You know, it was like taking in family; a part of our family that maybe we'd forgotten that we're related to. When I see all of my children together, completely one family...the teasing and the affection. . .you would never know they eame from different parents. There's nothing quite like that," smiles Jon. "It feels good to give a Hawaiian child Hawaiian cultural experiences and raise her with Hawaiian values," Mary adds. "Hawaiian foster children don't just need us - they need the Hawaiian community. It's kuleana, absolutely." ■

Jonathan, Lehua and Mary Osorio. - Photo: Alice Silbanuz