Covering Hawaii’s homeless crisis.
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
Stay in touch with top news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It's FREE!
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
Question: Regarding Oahu’s growing homeless population, we often hear about a program that flies people back to the mainland. Read more
The city and state have opened — and plan to open — more homeless housing across Oahu following the closure of some shelters and reduced bed space during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
The number of homeless families increased 19% in just one year on Oahu, according to the latest Point In Time census. Read more
Since 2015 the percentage of Oahu’s homeless population that is unsheltered has increased steadily (to 62% from 40%), while the percentage that is sheltered has decreased (to 38% from 60%). Read more
The Waianae Coast had the largest concentration of homeless people with 783, or 28% of Oahu’s unsheltered population. Read more
The latest number of homeless people who were counted across Oahu in January will be released today in the latest benchmark of homelessness in Honolulu. Read more
A newly passed bill before Gov. Josh Green would protect homeless shelters that take in minors without the consent of their parents or guardians. Read more
Notices of an ongoing homeless sweep at Maui’s Kahului Boat Harbor by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources lack the same information that was cited by the Hawaii Supreme Court in a challenge to Maui County’s homeless sweeps. Read more
Blangiardi said 60% of Hawaii families live paycheck-to-paycheck, which puts them at financial risk of becoming homeless. Read more
The city plans to close Ulehawa Beach Park from Moihihi Street to Depots Beach near Haleaka Avenue — where about 40 people live — from 10 p.m. April 24 until 5 a.m. May 1. Read more
The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii hopes its victory before the Hawaii Supreme Court over Maui County homeless sweeps will bolster its case against Honolulu when its lawsuit over Oahu’s homeless policies goes to trial in October. Read more
