Governor Josh Green, M.D.

In the middle of February, the Green Administration part­nered with HomeAid Hawai‘i, Project Vision Hawai‘i (PVH), and the Hawai‘i Health and Harm Reduction Center (H3RC) to open the state’s second and third kauhale; Ka Malu Ko‘olau (meaning the protection of the Ko‘olau) in Kāne‘ohe, and Ho‘okahi Leo (meaning a community with one voice) in Honolulu.

The kauhale will provide housing for people from the com­mu­nity who are houseless and will benefit from com­passionate support in a welcoming, safe, stable, trauma-informed envi­ron­­ment, including 24-7 security, intake/management staff, and peer support. Residents will have restroom facilities, shower trailers, a laundry facility, and daily meals. Office space is provided for on-site care coordination.

Kauhale are just one part of Governor Green’s comprehen­sive approach to addressing housing and homelessness in all segments of our community. Governor Green has a goal of decreasing statewide homelessness by 50% in his first term in office.

“Homelessness should not be accepted as normal in our society,” said Governor Green. “We are seeing that Hawai‘i’s communities are opening their eyes to those suffering around them and are coming together to support the kauhale effort. Some individuals have even come forward asking that we help their own loved ones and friends. I am glad to have them join me in saying, ‘yes in my backyard.’ Housing is health care, and this is truly the path forward for our state.”

Statewide Homeless Coordinator John Mizuno said, “Ho‘okahi Leo will address the significant lack of deeply affordable community spaces that until now, has meant that homeless individuals were often cycled in and out of temporary shelters, waiting for housing they can afford. This project and the Governor’s broader Kauhale Initiative will fill this gap, providing both deep affordability and a sense of community.”

At the Ho‘okahi Leo kauhale blessing, Laura Mae Duclayan, who has lived un­housed for many years at Sand Island Beach Park said, “Many of us have wait­ed years for a place to call home. Not a temporary shelter or transitional place, but somewhere that gives us stability and the opportunity to rebuild a sense of community. Many of us are ready for this move and to take kuleana for build­ing a village together.”

HomeAid Hawai‘i is the state’s lead d­ev­­elop­ment partner who planned and constructed both kauhale. Through pro bono labor and donated materials and supplies, HomeAid was able to reduce the cost of construction and development by tens of thousands of dollars.

PVH is the state’s operating partner for Ka Malu Ko‘olau. PVH will coordinate with relevant stake­holders such as gov­­ernment entities, community org­anizations, and churches, to meet the needs of the community and the people served by Ka Malu Ko‘olau.

H3RC serves Hawai‘i communities by re­ducing the harm and fighting the stigma of HIV, hepatitis, homelessness, substance use, mental illness, and poverty in our community.