Covering Hawaii’s homeless crisis.
Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm said the overnight ambassadors complement Safe & Sound Waikiki, which is patterned after Weed & Seed, a multiagency strategy to prevent violent crime, drug trafficking and drug crimes in neighborhoods. Read more
CORE teams began their outreach in December 2021 by working with homeless people in downtown, Chinatown and Waikiki before expanding less frequently throughout the island. Read more
Over the summer, the Aala Respite facility was set up as part of a joint effort between the city and state to provide shelter and medical care for vulnerable, medically fragile people who’ve experienced long-term homelessness on Oahu. Read more
In a joint effort to deal with homelessness on Oahu, Mayor Rick Blangiardi and Gov. Josh Green on Monday formally unveiled the Aala Respite at the edge of downtown Honolulu. Read more
State and city officials joined the Waianae community Sunday, which would have been Twinkle Borge’s birthday, at Pu‘uhonua o Wai‘anae Farm Village for a memorial service honoring her and dedicating the day as a “Day of Aloha.” Read more
The bus will be able to transport up to 29 people, either on medical stretchers or in regular bus seats, to shelters or respite centers, city officials said. Read more
Homeless people seeking shelter will be able to check into the Safe Space in the evening and depart the next day. Read more
Objections to U.S. policy over the war in Gaza led six of Hawaii’s 31 delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago to withhold their support for Vice President Kamala Harris following internal debate. Read more
Twinkle Borge, known as “Mama,” showed love and compassion to the hundreds of people who moved in and out of what is now known as Pu‘uhonua o Waianae, while simultaneously enforcing strict rules against violence or substance abuse. Read more
Stay in touch with top news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It's FREE!
Twinkle Borge, longtime activist and leader of the Pu‘uhonua O Wai‘anae homeless encampment, died today. Read more
The relocation was performed via a partnership between the county and nonprofits including Hope Services Hawaii, Project Vision Hawaii, the Neighborhood Place of Puna, Going Home Hawaii and Salvation Army Hawaii. Read more
As states and municipalities across the country push forward with sweeps of encampments in the month after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling granted officials new authority to police homelessness, the city says enforcement actions conducted on Oahu should not be deemed to be the same thing. Read more
In early July, Hawaii County established what it called a “temporary respite area” on a small lot between Kilauea and Kamehameha Avenues. Read more
A flatbed truck on Wednesday carried two more newly built 100-square-foot tiny homes to a new “kauhale” going up at Kalihi’s Cedar Church as the state, counties and a hui of builders and developers work together to create more communities for low-income and homeless people on Oahu by the end of the year, with two more planned for the Hilo and Kona sides of Hawaii island in 2025. Read more
The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii and the City and County of Honolulu on Monday jointly agreed to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the city’s homeless sweeps program on Oahu. Read more
Hawaii County officials have designated a parking lot as a temporary resting area for homeless people who occupy an area in and around a storm drain in downtown Hilo. Read more
Waikiki Vista represents the newest approach between the state and city to get more homeless people off the street, especially adults who have children and are willing to work. Read more
The shelter will be opened under an agreement reached between the state, Hawaii County and The Salvation Army Hawaii and Pacific Island Division. Read more
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi on Friday said the Supreme Court’s ruling was “exactly what we hoped would happen. … This is a favorable ruling for the cities.” Read more
The center currently has 17 adult clients – mostly men ranging in age from the mid-20s to late 70s, with most having no health insurance — who are provided clinical and behavioral mental health services. Read more
Homeless people displaying mental health issues could be taken off the street against their will and brought in for assessment at a 3-month-old behavioral center in Iwilei if a new bill becomes law. Read more
