A group of Chinatown business advocates took action to address the problem in their community.

Hawaii legislators are weighing two bills that would extend the Ohana Zones program, which is otherwise due to expire next year.

Critics call it a significant development that will reduce homelessness and crime in the area.

Broken windows at the police station and many Chinatown businesses signal increasing disorder in the historic downtown neighborhood.

Service providers hope more money in the state budget this coming year will mean new and expanded programs.

The CORE program has hired 15 people since starting operations in mid-October and has had to scale back plans to rely mostly on community health workers.

The county said it would make shelter beds available prior to moving homeless people from the area in September but the lawsuit says adequate space was not provided.

Shelters have reduced capacity and implemented Covid-19 vaccine or testing mandates to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The homeless community that has long occupied space next to the Waianae Boat Harbor has big plans to move to permanent homes at a new site.

Honolulu’s mayor promised to end sweeps of homeless encampments, but his administration says it still needs to clear the “sidewalks, streets and parks.”