A Hawaii County homeless shelter established near Mamalahoa Highway in July has been disbanded.
Located on Kuawa Street — a short road connecting Manono Street and Mamalahoa Highway — the “Ponahawai Short-Term Shelter at Kuawa” was a camp set up on an empty lot leased from a private owner to shelter occupants of a previous temporary shelter that stood on Ponahawai Street in downtown Hilo.
That Ponahawai shelter was established in July in order to house homeless people who were camping in the nearby storm drain in advance of an audit by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The Ponahawai shelter had a limited shelf life and was dismantled by the end of that month. The 15 occupants remaining at Ponahawai were relocated to the Kuawa shelter, and Susan Kunz, the county housing administrator at the time, said residency at the shelter was contingent upon occupants registering for assistance from homeless services.
As of Nov. 27, all but one of those 15 occupants had either secured permanent housing or moved to a longer-term shelter, said Chelsea Jensen, spokeswoman for the Hawaii County Office of Housing and Community Development, via email. As the camp was only set up to serve those 15 occupants, its purpose is fulfilled, and it is being dismantled.
“This first ‘cohort’s’ progress is a testament to the effectiveness of this initiative, and we are committed to exploring ways to continue this important work, providing more opportunities for those in need and making a lasting impact on homelessness in our community,” new Housing Administrator Kehau Costa said in a statement. “And we couldn’t have done it alone. Providing this temporary shelter where some of the most vulnerable members of our community could receive services and care they need to exit homelessness would not have been possible without the collaboration of our dedicated partners. We are grateful for the collaborative effort from all parties involved.”
Although the lot still bears signs of its previous use — scattered debris and a few empty tents — Jensen wrote that the former occupants have retrieved their belongings, and the county is preparing for a final cleanup of the lot in the next few days.
Jensen said the county is exploring additional possibilities for temporary shelters in both East and West Hawaii, and will share further updates in the coming weeks.
People experiencing homelessness who are seeking access to community resources are invited to connect with the Hawaii County Homeless Engagement Hui — a pilot program connecting homeless individuals with services — via neighborhoodplaceofpuna.orge/hche, or by calling (808) 501-1413, ext. 3.
Email Michael Brestovansky at mbrestovansky@hawaiitribune-herald.com.