From: DGrau40568@aol.com
DearMYRTLE,
My daughter adopted a baby whose mother is half Hawaiian. She would like to know how she can get information on her heritage. Can you help us?

DearDELORES,
Preparing the baby to understand her blood line heritage is just as important as the values and influences of her adopted family heritage. Her parents will make decisions concerning openness. Contact with the birth mother requires preparation and care.

As a party to the legal adoption process, your daughter should be able to contact the adoption agency, and work through the legal issues where contacting the birth parents are concerned. I recommend viewing the Adoption Triad's page on HAWAII laws/reform located at: http://www.adoptiontriad.org/lawsbystate/hi.html

Some useful websites:

• ADOPTEE RIGHTS.ORG www.adopteerights.org
   
• ADOPTION.ORG http://www.adoption.org/
   
• ADOPTION TRIAD - In particular see their recommended reading list.
  http://www.adoptiontriad.org/
   
• REUNITE.COM http://www.reunite.com/
   
• THE VOLUNTEER SEARCH NETWORK http://www.vsn.org/
   
• INTERNATIONAL SOUNDEX REUNION REGISTRY
  http://www.isrr.net/