Homelessness

Waiʻanae Group Wants A New Homeless Shelter. Can They Overcome Objections? Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Waiʻanae Group Wants A New Homeless Shelter. Can They Overcome Objections?

Disagreements include whether more services will help current Westside homeless or if they will just become a magnet for more.

$30 Million Invested. Hawaiʻi Island Homeless Population Still Grew Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025

$30 Million Invested. Hawaiʻi Island Homeless Population Still Grew

The county has tried to combat homelessness in recent years, but more people are living on the streets of Hilo and Kona.

HUD Plan Leaves Millions For Hawaiʻi Homeless Housing In Limbo Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2020

HUD Plan Leaves Millions For Hawaiʻi Homeless Housing In Limbo

Local nonprofit leaders estimate that more than 400 people could end up back on the streets if funding cuts go through.

More Homeless People Are Dying On Oʻahu. Can We Reverse The ‘Crisis’? Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025

More Homeless People Are Dying On Oʻahu. Can We Reverse The ‘Crisis’?

An effort underway to bring the death rate down involves outreach, special facilities that offer medical care and shelter, and a controversial new law.

Buckets Of Cranberry Sauce, Stacks Of Turkeys: Hotel Feeds Homeless Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025

Buckets Of Cranberry Sauce, Stacks Of Turkeys: Hotel Feeds Homeless

For three decades, Waikīkī’s Hilton Hawaiian Village has donated meals with all the trimmings to the Institute for Human Services to feed the homeless on Thanksgiving.

Honolulu’s Crackdown Traps Homeless In Loop Of Citations Jeremy Hay/Civil Beat/2025

Honolulu’s Crackdown Traps Homeless In Loop Of Citations

Ticketing of Honolulu’s homeless population ballooned after the mayor pledged to get 1,000 people off the street in a year, but the effort tends to involve familiar faces.

Back To The Streets Of Honolulu: One Woman’s Cycle Of Homelessness Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025

Back To The Streets Of Honolulu: One Woman’s Cycle Of Homelessness

A Big Island woman found professional help but a permanent housing solution remains elusive.

Maui Balances Compassion With Fire Safety In Homeless Encampment Sweeps

Maui Balances Compassion With Fire Safety In Homeless Encampment Sweeps

County leaders say they are prioritizing the community as a whole but critics feel it’s scapegoating.

Hawaiʻi Law Is Diverting Mentally Ill From Jail — But Not Getting Them Help Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025

Hawaiʻi Law Is Diverting Mentally Ill From Jail — But Not Getting Them Help

The goal was to get help faster to non-violent offenders with mental illness. Instead, they are showing up again and again at the state hospital.

Has City Homeless Services Program Lost Its Way? Audit Will Check Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024

Has City Homeless Services Program Lost Its Way? Audit Will Check

The program has strayed from its emphasis on social work, according to people who value the program but call it ineffective.