Council committee backs funding to expand HONU homeless triage operations
March 04, 2026 | Honolulu City, Honolulu County, Hawaii
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
The committee recommended reporting Resolution 26-34 out for adoption after the Department of Community Services asked to transfer up to $3,193,954 in general-fund dollars to expand HONU (homeless outreach and navigation).
Director Anton Krekke told the committee the measure does not create new services but would allow HONU to reconfigure its existing operation from a 4‑tenth configuration to an 8‑tenth configuration, enabling the site to be repurposed by clientele mix and to staff 24/7 operations. “With your approval of this, what this would allow is an expansion of the HONU program,” Krekke said.
Vice Chair Nishimoto and Councilmember Talbot pressed for line‑item detail. Nishimoto flagged staffing and contract costs in the budget justification, noting the request included about 41 new FTEs and $108,000 listed for three community service specialist positions. Krekke agreed the program would add staff to support multiple shifts and said the $239,000 line for contracts is aimed at implementation and operational support while the administration prepares a reorganization to absorb positions into regular city staffing.
Talbot asked whether HONU is working in his district and challenged the administration on access. Krekke said a recent intake period at Waipahu recorded 314 intakes, of which about 165 were triaged to shelters, return travel to the Mainland, or other placements — representing what he described as a roughly 50–65% success rate for moving people off the street into other services. He added the average stay at HONU was about nine to ten days and that CORE and HPD referrals reserve spaces to manage intake.
Some members pressed Krekke about complaints that people from outside neighborhoods use HONU; Krekke urged constituents to call CORE so outreach teams can assist individuals who report they were unable to enter HONU.
No in‑person or remote public testimony was registered on the item. The chair recommended the resolution be reported out for adoption without recorded objections.
Next steps: the committee will forward Resolution 26-34 to full council for consideration.
Director Anton Krekke told the committee the measure does not create new services but would allow HONU to reconfigure its existing operation from a 4‑tenth configuration to an 8‑tenth configuration, enabling the site to be repurposed by clientele mix and to staff 24/7 operations. “With your approval of this, what this would allow is an expansion of the HONU program,” Krekke said.
Vice Chair Nishimoto and Councilmember Talbot pressed for line‑item detail. Nishimoto flagged staffing and contract costs in the budget justification, noting the request included about 41 new FTEs and $108,000 listed for three community service specialist positions. Krekke agreed the program would add staff to support multiple shifts and said the $239,000 line for contracts is aimed at implementation and operational support while the administration prepares a reorganization to absorb positions into regular city staffing.
Talbot asked whether HONU is working in his district and challenged the administration on access. Krekke said a recent intake period at Waipahu recorded 314 intakes, of which about 165 were triaged to shelters, return travel to the Mainland, or other placements — representing what he described as a roughly 50–65% success rate for moving people off the street into other services. He added the average stay at HONU was about nine to ten days and that CORE and HPD referrals reserve spaces to manage intake.
Some members pressed Krekke about complaints that people from outside neighborhoods use HONU; Krekke urged constituents to call CORE so outreach teams can assist individuals who report they were unable to enter HONU.
No in‑person or remote public testimony was registered on the item. The chair recommended the resolution be reported out for adoption without recorded objections.
Next steps: the committee will forward Resolution 26-34 to full council for consideration.
View the Full Meeting & All Its Details
This article offers just a summary. Unlock complete video, transcripts, and insights as a Founder Member.
✓
Watch full, unedited meeting videos
✓
Search every word spoken in unlimited transcripts
✓
AI summaries & real-time alerts (all government levels)
✓
Permanent access to expanding government content
30-day money-back guarantee
