Sand Island homeless housing to open ADVERTISING Sand Island homeless housing to open HONOLULU (AP) — A new shelter in Sand Island that will offer housing and additional services for the homeless is set to open its doors. Hale Mauliola,
Sand Island homeless housing to open
HONOLULU (AP) — A new shelter in Sand Island that will offer housing and additional services for the homeless is set to open its doors.
Hale Mauliola, a housing navigation service center, was set to open Thursday. The facility is made from shipping container housing units and can house up to 90 people. Six people were expected to move in on opening day.
Institute for Human Services’ Connie Mitchell said the goal is to get residents prepared for the transition into permanent housing.
According to IHS, the shelter has fewer barriers to entry than other shelters. Couples will be able to room together and there will not be a curfew.
The agency also is working with the Humane Society to allow residents to bring their pets.
Honolulu officials approve tax extension for rail project
HONOLULU (AP) — Honolulu officials approved a bill that would extend a tax surcharge to pay for the $6.57 billion rail project.
The City Council Budget Committee voted 4-1 in favor of the bill Wednesday, which extends Oahu’s 0.5 percent tax surcharge from 2022 to 2027. The measure now will be up for another vote at the council’s Dec. 9 meeting, where all nine members are expected to decide on the extension. The final vote on the bill is expected next year.
The committee’s vote Wednesday comes days after Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced $250 million in funds from the Federal Transportation Administration would be at risk if the council did not approve an extension of the tax surcharge.
The $250 million is part of the $1.55 billion that the FTA promised the city under a grant agreement.
