Busy Buddies Hawaii’s license suspended again

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A Kailua-Kona day care is closed again after failing to comply with state regulations.

A Kailua-Kona day care is closed again after failing to comply with state regulations.

The Department of Human Services Childcare Licensing Unit again suspended the license of Kids Play Corner Inc., doing business as Busy Buddies Hawaii, effective July 3. This is the second time DHS has suspended the company’s license. The first was in February.

DHS suspended the license after a terminated employee, whom DHS determined was unsuitable to provide child care, returned to the premises, despite being banned from the business. The person was also banned from directing operations or staff. The most recent agreement between DHS and Busy Buddies Hawaii was signed May 31. The company was provisionally licensed through Sept. 15 to care for 40 children.

Busy Buddies Hawaii co-owner Ricky Hanano delivered a letter July 5 to the DHS North Kona office saying he was voluntarily returning his operating license and the business would immediately stop being a group child care center. The 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 327-4755 if they have any questions. For parents who need to make alternative child care arrangements, DHS recommends contacting PATCH Hawaii at 322-3500 for a list of area child care providers.