The unexplained death of 9-month-old Jayvid Waa-Ili on Aug. 26 represented the 30th fatality of a child in state custody since 2000, but nearly all were likely the result of pre-existing conditions or natural deaths, a leading child abuse expert said Wednesday.

Steven Choy, director of the Kapiolani Child Protection Center, serves on a team that reviews all childhood deaths in Hawaii and Choy does not recall a child abuse fatality involving foster care since 2000.

"They’re primarily due to congenital problems and illness," Choy said. "In the last 10 years, I can’t remember any that died at the hands of someone in foster care from child abuse."

State Sen. Suzanne Chun Oakland, chairwoman of the Senate Human Services Committee, on Tuesday said she was aware of three children dying in state custody from 2006 to 2008.

But Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s office released data on Wednesday that showed 30 children — including Waa-Ili — have died in state custody since the 2000-01 fiscal year.

The baby’s death represented one of two fatalities in state custody this fiscal year.

The childhood fatality figures come as state Rep. John Mizuno, chairman of the House Human Services Committee, has scheduled a hearing this afternoon to clarify the state Department of Human Services’ policies regarding the release of information on cases such as Waa-Ili’s.

The baby was taken into Child Welfare Services custody from a Hauula home on Aug. 10 and died on Aug. 26 at the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center.

Autopsy results are pending toxicology tests, but police homicide detectives said no foul play appeared to be involved.

"Public disclosure in these types of cases comes down to a balancing test — the need to know versus the need to protect privacy," Mizuno said.

State Rep. Kymberly Marcos Pine (R, Ewa Beach-Iroquois Point) plans to attend today’s hearing to understand how information is disseminated after a child dies while under the care of the state.

"What does happen in cases like this where a baby died?" Pine asked. "I would like to know their (DHS) answer."

In addition to information about Waa-Ili’s case, Pine has much broader questions about the 30 children — including Waa-Ili — who have died in state custody since 2000.

Thirty deaths "is quite alarming," she said. "That’s a very large number, in my opinion. Is it something we can prevent? Or have these children had such trauma in their previous care that it affects their very survival after that? It’s hard to point a finger.

"Any time that any child dies, in anyone’s care, it should be at the top of anyone’s priority, whether it’s in CPS care or your neighbor’s care," Pine said. "Any time a child dies it should always be of concern."