The City’s Homeless Outreach and Navigation for Unsheltered Persons is now operating at Old Stadium Park in the McCully-Moiliili area, according to a news release.
The Department of Community Services oversees the HONU program, created in Dec. 2019, which provides immediate shelter and support to Oahu’s homeless population. With the help of services, many people enrolled in the program find more permanent or supportive housing.
Staff installed the HONU facility at Old Stadium Park on June 2 and started intakes on June 9. The facility will stay at the same location until the end of September, with the option to extend as necessary.
The mobile triage and shelter includes about 45 beds, with options for single males, single females, couples and families.
Previously, HONU has been stationed at Keehi Lagoon Beach Park in Honolulu, Neal S. Blaisdell Park in Aiea, and a vacant lot across from Kapolei Hale, for about 90 to 120 days.
In Kapolei since last October, HONU provided shelter for 575 individuals. The average length of stay for an individual at HONU before moving into a shelter, transitional housing, or permanent housing is less than 10 days, down from an average of 23 days in 2022.
Funding for the HONU program comes in part from the State of Hawaii. DCS also works with several other city departments and nonprofit community organizers to run HONU.