Reunion Online

Hawaii County adults are twice as likely to report having been abused as children than adults statewide. That's according to a recent survey, released this week by the Joyful Heart Foundation. The foundation surveyed 702 residents in all four counties.

The Joyful Heart Foundation announced today that Kata Issari has joined the organization as its first Hawai'i regional director. Issari will play an integral role in leading the organization's growth locally and dissemination of innovative, statewide programs to serve island residents.

Members and benefactors of the Joyful Heart Foundation honor one of their own at a celebration during the cocktail hour before their presentation at the Kahala Hotel and Resort on Tuesday, Oct. 11.

 A new study reveals the number of Hawaii families touched by child abuse.

The Joyful Heart Foundation asked people around the state if they know someone who's been abused. Approximately 40 percent of those people answered "yes."

According to the study, 80 percent feel that it's a major problem, but the remaining 20 percent think it's a minor one.

In Hawaii, 64 percent of residents have difficulty recognizing child abuse, and 2 out of 3 would report abuse to Child Welfare Services if the child is a stranger. This is according to an unprecedented statewide study, released today, jointly commissioned by the Hawaii Children's Trust Fund and the Joyful Heart Foundation.

Joyful Heart CEO Maile Zambuto and board member Valli Kalei Kanuha, Ph.D, discuss the findings of new research on the Perceptions of Child Abuse and Neglect in Hawai'i on Sunrise Hawaii News Now. The research report, released in partnership by the Joyful Heart Foundation and the Hawai'i Children's Trust Fund, is available for download.

A dinner with Joyful Heart Foundation officials and local supporters marked a homecoming for "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" star Mariska Hargitay, who was in town last week for a series of private appearances on behalf of the organization she founded.

Mariska Hargitay was in town for a series of private appearances, including a dinner at Neiman Marcus’s Mariposa restaurant Sept. 1, to raise awareness and funds for the Joyful Heart Foundation, which she founded out of a desire to heal, educate and empower survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse.

Law & Order star Mariska Hargitay had a sort of revelation while visiting Hawaii, and since then has been dedicated to helping abuse victims.