Hawaiʻi County has secured a new site for the temporary respite area established earlier this month in Downtown Hilo.

The current respite area, which was established earlier this month for unsheltered individuals occupying the area in and around a storm drain in Downtown Hilo in anticipation of the U.S Army Corps of Engineers’ scheduled assessments of the drainage system, will be dismantled and moved to a new site off Kuawa Street today.

As of Monday, July 29, 14 tents providing shelter for 22 individuals remained at the respite area. Two people have secured housing.

The Kuawa Street site will continue to provide netted Quickshades for occupants to store their items and receive vital services. As each person continues to receive the necessary support to transition from the canal area to permanent or emergency housing, their space in the respite area will be dismantled and removed.

Security measures will remain in place to monitor the respite area and ensure compliance with rules and laws. Individuals who violate these rules will be removed from the area and will face enforcement actions.

At this time, the new site will only serve the former canal occupants still utilizing the respite area.

Following the move of the temporary respite area, the Ponahawai Street site will be returned to its previous condition and restored for recreational use.

Looking ahead, the County of Hawaiʻi, in collaboration with The Salvation Army Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Division, anticipates the opening of a new emergency overnight cot sleeping shelter for 25 individuals in Downtown Hilo in late August.