HONOLULU (KHON2) -- It's no secret the Child Welfare System has failed to live up to its mission of protecting our island keiki. A new report shines a light on the system's shortcomings but also lays the groundwork for a positive way to move forward. Get Hawaii's latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You The innocent lives of six-year-old Isabella Kalua and 10-year-old Geanna Bradley were tragically cut short by the very people entrusted to care for them. Hawaii lawmakers weigh funding fireworks enforcement amid New Year’s tragedy "This is heartbreaking. Every incident that's happening now, in the past and unfortunately in the future, it should not happen. It is heartbreaking, it is unacceptable," said Tia Hartsock, Office of Wellness and Resilience Director. The State created the Malama Ohana Working Group in 2023 to address long-standing problems within the Child Welfare System. After 15 months, the assessment showed the system is failing. "What we found was probably what we already knew: really good people doing this work, some heroes doing this work. But all together, the system is not functioning," said Laurie Ariel Tochiki, Malama Ohana Working Group co-chair. The report describes an uncoordinated system, lacking resources and accountability, that hurts instead of helps. It also identified the direct impact of inequality. "One of the things that wasn't surprising, but we heard it loud and clear was that many of the families whose children were removed actually stemmed from poverty. And when you really look at that, poverty does not equate to neglect and abuse," explained Venus Kauiokawekiu Rosete-Medeiros, Malama Ohana Working Group co-chair. Recommendations in their report include addressing historical trauma, helping build family resilience, accountability and more. The next step is putting the findings of the Malama Ohana Working Group into action, something the Governor and the Office of Wellness and Resilience are fully behind. "We will be passionately moving forward to do everything we can in this administration to implement the recommendations. Officials at Child Welfare Services are already taking action. "We have our shortage differentials that have been provided. We are exploring performance bonuses to help with retention. We are looking at training to provide our workers with enough support so that they can go out and do this," said DHS Child Welfare Services Branch Administrator, Elladine Olevao. While CWS is focused on streamlining its operations, Olevao hopes to see more collaboration throughout the child welfare system. "It's really bringing together, all of us that care about our kids. It's law in enforcement. It is all of our service providers. It's the hospitals, it's the DOJ that come together to really monitor and watch our keiki," Olevao added. Hartsock said they are also drafting legislation. Find more Hawaii, Oahu, Maui and Kauai news here "A child's life and the safety of children, that the most vulnerable in our community. This is urgent. This is not something that we wait till the next one happens and then we, you know, respond again. It's something we have to change." One of the most important messages the Malama Ohana Working Group wants to share with people is the need for everyone to step up as it's going to take the entire community to protect our keiki. To view the full report, visit MOWG's website. Child Abuse or Neglect Reporting Hotline: (808) 832-5300 or 1 (888) 380-3088 Child Trafficking Reporting Hotline: (808) 832-1999 or 1 (888) 398-1188