Keolahou Blessing Fact Sheet

Who do we serve at Keolahou?
Keolahou provides emergency shelter and services to men, who make up the greatest
proportion of those experiencing homelesness on Hawaiʻi Island. HOPE also operates
shelters that serve families, couples, and single women in both East and West Hawaiʻi.
Additionally, we plan to convert another mens’ shelter into a shelter for women and
couples.
What is the long-term goal for Keolahou program participants?
To assist men experiencing homelessness in our community to a pathway to lease up
affordable housing units, and connect them to the support they need to remain in
housing. Last year, 70% of shelter residents who entered a HOPE shelter moved into
permanent housing.
Are there sobriety requirements for entrance? Will participants with addiction/mental
illness be given treatment?
We utilize a housing-focused approach that reduces shelter requirements such as
sobriety or program attendance, which often serve as barriers to service. By partnering
with BISAC, Care Hawaiʻi, ʻOhana Health, and other mental health service providers, we
will connect participants to the help they need.
How will this impact medical and emergency services?
Keolahou is partnering with Bay Clinic, a federally qualified health center serving East
Hawaiʻi, to offer medical care through their mobile health unit on site 1-2 times per
month. By providing participants with regular medical checkups, we can help to reduce
the strain on emergency services.
“Keolahou will allow us to provide desperately needed medical services to patients who
otherwise might never visit a clinic. This can prevent minor medical issues from
becoming catastrophes that require hospitalization,” said Dr. Kimo Alameda, CEO of Bay
Clinic.
We are piloting a partnership with Hilo Medical Center and have set aside 5 beds for
patients who are ready to be discharged, but have no other resources, and no home to
return to.
Are there plans to open a similar facility in West Hawaiʻi?
Yes. The County of Hawaii is planning two additional ʻOhana Zone sites in Kailua-Kona,
which will offer similar services to those in West Hawaiʻi.
How can I refer someone experiencing homelessness?
Call HOPE Services at (808) 935-3050 or email us at info@hopeserviceshawaii.org . We
are able to assist those who are currently homeless or who have received an eviction
notice.
What kinds of services are partner organizations offering at Keolahou?
Keolahou partners currently offer medical care, job training & placement, financial, legal,
insurance enrollment, food supplies, clothing, and hygiene services. Current partners
include: Bay Clinic, Hawaiʻi Island HIV/AIDS Foundation, Arc of Hilo, The Food Basket,
Hawaiian Community Assets, Project Vision, and the Legal Aid Society of Hawaiʻi
(LASH).
“LASH is excited to celebrate the opening of Keolahou with the people of HOPE
Services, other community partners, and the client Ohana we all serve together,” said
Dalton Newsom of Legal Aid Society of Hawaiʻi.
If your organization offers a service that might benefit program participants, please
contact HOPE Services.
What can the public do to help end homelessness?
If you are a landlord or have a spare room in your home, you can end homelessness for
an individual by renting through low-risk programs such as HOPE’s Master Leasing.
If you have been touched by homelessness, or know someone who has, you can share
your story at hopeserviceshawaii.org/stories. Stories help us humanize the problem of
homelessness, which is the first step to taking action to end it.
Follow #HawaiiHousingMonth on social media for stories about the realities of
homelessness, and to learn about homeless services available on Hawaiʻi Island.
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About HOPE Services Hawaiʻi
HOPE Services Hawaii is an affiliate non-profit organization of the Roman Catholic
Church, providing housing-focused services including outreach, emergency shelter and
affordable housing with the intention of moving people in housing as quickly as
possible and connect them with the support that they need to stay housed forever. If
you or someone you know has been evicted or is experiencing homelessness, call the
HOPE help line at 808-935-3050.