Public First moved to unseal portions of the sealed family court proceedings of Isabella P. Kalua f.k.a. Ariel Sellers, whose adoptive parents have been charged with her murder.  One motion sought to unseal portions of Isabella’s adoption case, and the other motion sought to unseal portions of her foster care proceeding.  The State Department of Human Services recommended that Isabella be placed in the care and custody of Isaac K. Kalua, III and Lehua Kalua–first as foster parents, then for adoption–despite signs of serious abuse and neglect and other potential red flags.  Isabella is now declared dead, and the Kaluas are charged with her murder.  Under these extreme facts, the secrecy generally afforded to these types of cases should yield to openness.  Otherwise, the public will never have access to the information necessary to ensure the proper functioning and oversight of the foster care and adoption procedures that are part of the State’s child welfare system.  On June 10, 2024, Judge Matthew J. Viola granted in part and denied in part the motions to unseal.

On September 30, 2025, the Hawai`i Supreme Court held that disclosure of records in foster care and adoption cases may be warranted when the child is missing, has suffered a near fatality, has been critically injured, or has died.  If disclosure is appropriate, courts protect the safety and well-being of the children involved by redacting identities. In Isabella’s case, the court held that disclosure with redactions was required, in part, because access to the records “would contribute to public understanding and awareness of the response of agencies and the family court to problems of child abuse and neglect.”

Nos. 1FFM-24-18, 1FFM-24-19.  No. SCPW-24-464.

• Motion to Unseal Court Adoption Records of Isabella P. Kalua (1/12/24)
• Motion to Unseal Portions of Child Protective Act Proceeding of Isabella P. Kalua (1/12/24)

Petition for Writ of Prohibition and Writ of Mandamus

• Petition (7/8/24) and Supplemental Memorandum (7/25/24)
  • Order (for response to petition) (7/16/24)
  • Isaac Kalua Response to Petition (8/30/24)
  • DHS Response to Petition (9/3/24)
  • Judge Viola Response to Petition (9/3/24)
  • Court Appointed Special Advocates Program’s Response to Petition (9/3/24)
  • Guardian Ad Litem Dean Nagamine Response to Petition (9/3/24)
  • Guardian Ad Litem Arlene Harada-Brown Response to Petition (9/3/24)
  • Reply Memorandum (9/17/24)
• Opinion (9/30/25)