David Y. Ige

FAC 1st ANNIVERSARY: Celebrating with homelessness team leaders and service providers in Kaka’ako.

• Focused efforts produce results – While there are no quick fixes to moving people off the streets, evidence shows we’re on the right track to help people “thrive, not just survive.” Homelessness is down 9 percent statewide with Hawai‘i, Kaua‘i, and Maui counties showing some of the largest declines. Katy Miller of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness praised the state’s progress, saying, “Hawai‘i is on the right path and is implementing really promising practices. All of these things take some time.”

• The Family Assessment Center (FAC) in Kaka‘ako celebrated its one-year anniversary — offering hope, support and housing placement in 90 days or less for homeless families. “Many of the FAC families have been homeless for a long time,” said state homelessness coordinator Scott Morishige. “It’s a real transformation to see young children who have never had a roof over their heads be in a place that’s safe and stable,” he said.

• Better enforcement in public spaces – The Kaka‘ako and Nimitz Viaduct enforcement efforts will continue to keep public spaces safe. “The situation that led to the Kaka‘ako Park closure was unacceptable,” said Governor Ige. “Homelessness is a very complex issue, but we’re seeing successes every day with state, county, service providers and the community working together.”

Gov. Ige checks progress at Kahauiki Village with Mel Kaneshige and Maj. Gen. Joe Logan.

• More public-private partnerships – Kahauiki Village is set to open this month for the first group of homeless families on state land near Ke‘ehi Lagoon. The plantation-style village was launched by businessman Duane Kurisu and his aio Foundation to provide affordable rental units for families who are employed but in transitional housing.

Read more in our January issue