HONOLULU – Mayor Kirk Caldwell today announced the City’s new Provisional Outdoor Screening and Triage (POST) facility. The POST is an extension of the HONU (Homeless Outreach and Navigation for Unsheltered Persons) program that temporarily repurposes resources from the $6 million Ohana Zone contract. HONU provides very temporary shelter and triage services while navigating people experiencing homelessness to shelter. Due to the impact of COVID-19 on the existing shelter systems, both the State and the City have recognized the need for more immediate shelter options that implement social distancing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Our Honolulu Police Department stepped up with our HONU program, and have stepped forward once again” said Mayor Caldwell. “I want to especially thank Captain Mike Lambert who spearheaded this program and saw it through that the HONU program’s resources were rapidly redeployed to the new POST facility.”
“This is an excellent partnership between the City and the State as we all work together to support our homeless community during these uncertain times. Citizens across the State, including our homeless residents, must practice social distancing and receive the care and services needed,” said Hawaii Governor David Ige.
The Honolulu Police Department offered the concept of the POST Facility, which will serve as a temporary resource for homeless persons who are:
· Unable to access shelters due to current capacity issues;
· In need of a place to self-quarantine as a result of the statewide mandatory quarantine for incoming arrivals;
· Unable to safely practice social distancing and hygiene at their current unsheltered location.
If homeless individuals at POST become sick, they will be tested and transferred to the Ka‘aahi Street shelter or another appropriate healthcare facility, where they can receive health services. POST has been launched at Ke‘ehi Lagoon and the facility will provide meals, hygiene, and security services.