SAND ISLAND, Hawaii (KHON2) — A transitional shelter on Sand Island is shutting down, the Institute for Human Services said their target date is at the end of May.
Officials call it a planned transition, but residents and even a City councilwoman said they were left in the dark.
Hale Mauliola is a transitional shelter made from refurbished shipping containers and has helped hundreds move off the streets since 2015. Now it is set to close in May, 2025 — a full year before the lease expires in 2026 and current residents will have to leave.
“Some of them have gone into other shelters, you know. So we’re really dead set on helping each person get into, housing,” said Connie Mitchell, Institute for Human Services executive director.
IHS admits that there is still no location confirmed for where the program will head to next.
“The State and the City are working together to identify a site. I don’t have a site yet,” Mitchell said.
The City and County said the property — leased from the State — is being returned so the land can be used to expand the Sand Island Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The City said the current units converted from containers are still in good shape and will be moved once a replacement site has been identified and prepared.
Communication about the change is still under scrutiny, however. One City councilmember said Tuesday was the first time she has heard of the planned transition.
“Which, was an elected official for the community, so that we are able to work all those issues out,” said Radiant Cordero. “What concerns me is that we weren’t notified about the steps or the closure, whether it’s the contract ending with IHS.”
Hale Mauliola was launched as a 3-5 year pilot project in 2015 and officials said it exceeded all expectations almost 10 years later.
Placement services are being offered to the 59 residents at the shelter but it is not the same as a roof over their head.
“You know, I mean, we are lining them up as we speak, you know, but, I think you’re right. Services do not equate to shelter and housing, navigation center services are actually targeted to providing just that,” Mitchell said, “So, they’re going to have, if they, don’t get into permanent housing now, they will still have the Housing navigator working with them to find that permanent housing for them.”