Dozens attend blessing for a houseless kauhale in Kaneohe
The 34 unit site comes with showers, a medical station, laundry, bathrooms, two offices, and a work training area.
Dozens of people turned out in Kaneohe on Friday for the opening of a kauhale on Po‘okela Street. This is one of a series of communal living spaces the state plans to open for people without a permanent address.
HONOLULU (Island News) -- Dozens of people turned out in Kaneohe on Friday for the opening of a kauhale on Po‘okela Street. This is one of a series of communal living spaces the state plans to open for people without a permanent address.
It has 34 units with two offices, a nursing station, showers, bathrooms, and laundry facilities. The state partnered with nonprofit HomeAid Hawai'i to build Ka Malu Ko'olau, which took two-and-a-half months and cost $1.3 million dollars.
HomeAid Hawai'i Executive Director Kimo Carvalho explained that his organization was able to save $700,000 or 35% through discounted or donated labor and supplies. The original cost was over $2 million.
State officials say they believe this model is the best way to tackle the growing problem of homelessness. Gov. Josh Green said the average age for a homeless person is 53 years old, because life on the street is hard. He said kauhale communities have healthcare and other supports that extend people's lives, and the quality of it.
Statewide Homelessness and Housing Solutions Coordinator John Mizuno said there are just over 4,000 homeless on Oahu, according to the most recently Point-In-Time Count which was in 2023. (Numbers for 2024 are not out yet.) He believes Hawaii will be the first state in the nation to reduce its homeless population through use of kauhale and the aloha spirit.
Project Vision Hawai'i will operate the site.
Windward O'ahu community advocate Mahealani Cypher, a lifelong Kane'ohe resident, said she's seen the homeless population in this and other towns across the island grow over the decades. She told the audience she hopes the state will give first priority to local people when selecting kauhale guests - versus those who fly in from the mainland.
Green indicated he's blessing another kauhale in Middle St. next week, and would be allocating $6.9 million to build one in Maui.
By Diane Ako, Island News
Available at https://www.kitv.com/news/local/dozens-attend-blessing-for-a-houseless-kauhale-in-kaneohe/article_e884ea02-c7b1-11ee-a7f2-c376acbb4c55.html