Volunteers and outreach staff recently fanned out across Hawai‘i Island for the first shift of the Homeless Point in Time Count (HPIT), a federally mandated survey that offers a one-night snapshot of homelessness nationwide.

During this time, teams are not only canvassing public beaches, parks, and sidewalks, but also canals, cemeteries, caves, and remote areas only accessible by trail. The goal of the count is to identify and survey individuals and families residing in places not meant for human habitation.

The effort is led locally by HOPE Services Hawai‘i, in partnership with community organizations, service providers, and volunteers. Morning shifts start as early as 4:30 a.m., and evening shifts run as late as 8:30 p.m. throughout the week to ensure teams can reach communities across East and West Hawai‘i. More than 50 volunteers and staff are participating in the initiative. The early and late shift times were chosen because many of the people the teams aim to connect with have jobs, or stay in places where they cannot remain during the day, often moving before sunrise.

Conducted nationwide, the HPIT helps policymakers, agencies, and advocates understand the scope of homelessness in each region and direct funding toward effective solutions. Beyond the survey, participants often deliver basic supplies, food, and referrals to services, connecting with unsheltered neighbors through compassionate, person-centered engagement.

The most recent Hawai‘i Island count, conducted in 2024, identified 718 individuals experiencing homelessness, highlighting the urgent need for housing that is truly within reach for local people earning local wages, along with adequately funded supportive services to help people stabilize and thrive.