GOVERNOR LINGLE SIGNS EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION TO ACCELERATE SOLUTIONS TO LEEWARD COAST HOMELESSNESS;NAMES HOMELESS SOLUTIONS TEAM LEADER

For Immediate Release: July 6, 2006

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle today outlined various measures the Lingle-Aiona Administration is undertaking to address the homeless problem along the Leeward Coast of O`ahu. These steps include an emergency proclamation to accelerate the State’s efforts to develop emergency and transitional shelters for the homeless, and the naming of a homeless solutions team leader to oversee the activities being undertaken by the Administration, private sector, military, and community partners.  In addition, the Governor is encouraging anyone interested in providing services or donations to assist in the overall solution to submit a letter of interest.

“The measures announced today are part of the ongoing process to work with the community, private sector, military and the city to assemble and coordinate the critical pieces we need to provide meaningful short-term as well as long-term solutions to end homelessness along the Leeward Coast,” said Governor Lingle.  “When we met with the community at the end of June, residents made it clear that while they have compassion for the homeless, they also want access to beach parks that are safe, clean, and available for the general public to enjoy.”

Emergency Proclamation

The Governor’s emergency proclamation, which is similar to one she issued in April to enable the development of the Next Step Project transitional shelter in Kaka`ako, paves the way for the state and community partners to develop emergency and transitional shelters in an expedited fashion to serve the homeless living on the Leeward Coast.  A recent Department of Health survey convinced the Governor that potential public health impacts require immediate action.

The emergency proclamation suspends certain statutes relating to contracting and bidding requirements, procurement code, use of government vehicles, coastal zone management, environmental impact statements, development permits, zoning adjustments and waivers, and development within special management and shoreline setback areas.  The emergency declaration goes into effect immediately and will continue through July 5, 2007.  Read the emergency proclamation here.

Requests for Interest

The Governor also announced that the State will move forward on issuing a “request for interest” for any company, organization or agency that would like to play a role in finding solutions to the homeless problem.  This includes providing goods, services, or construction resources relating to the development and operation of secure, safe, and sanitary shelters for homeless residents.

The State will assess which responses might be appropriate for helping to develop emergency and transitional homeless shelters, as well as what services are available to help residents move toward self-sufficiency.  Other responses will be assessed for long-term projects, including transitional housing and affordable rental projects.  

“It has been very encouraging to see the level of support and willingness from all sectors of our community who want to play a part in the homeless solution,” said the Governor.  “We are assessing what services, donations and other commitments people are willing to contribute, and incorporating these elements into our overall strategic plan to address the homeless problem.”

Anyone interested in providing services or donations should contact the Department of Accounting and General Services:

E-mail:  dags@hawaii.gov
 or
 russ.k.saito@hawaii.gov
Mail: Office of the Comptroller
 Department of Accounting and General Services
 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 412
 Honolulu, HI  96813

Phone: Russ K. Saito, State Comptroller
 (808) 586-0400

Homeless Solutions Team Leader

The Governor named Kaulana Park as the team leader to oversee and coordinate the activities relating to homeless solutions, including serving as a liaison between the state, private sector, faith-based community, non-profit organizations, military, city and other groups.

Park currently works for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) as the executive assistant to the chairman/director.  As a lead strategist for DHHL he provides direct oversight on special projects ranging from program development to critical projects and issues relating to fulfilling the department’s mission to put Native Hawaiians on the land and into homes.  His focus is primarily on operations efficiency, administration workflow, and leadership development.

“Unlike the Next Step Project which focused on one facility in one location, the scope and magnitude of the homeless problem in Leeward O`ahu requires a broader and more diverse range of facilities, locations and services and will involve more organizations,” Governor Lingle said.  “I have chosen Kaulana to manage and coordinate all of these activities and groups, while overseeing the solutions we need implemented to help the homeless living on the Leeward Coast.  I needed a very capable person to step in and lead this important project through the end of the year to assure that our efforts and resources are coordinated.”

“The largest communities of DHHL homesteads are on the Leeward Coast, and Kaulana will bring that history and understanding of the area with him.  This is a natural extension of reaching out to some who may be beneficiaries of the trust and at the same time working to improve the lives of everyone in the community,” the Governor added.

Park previously served as manager of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund.  He has also been a manager with Bank of America, assistant branch manager with First Hawaiian Bank, and business banking officer for Wells Fargo Bank. 

A graduate of Kamehameha Schools and Stanford University (bachelor’s of science degree in engineering), Park is the past president of the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce and a graduate of the Pacific Century Fellows Class of 2004.  He currently serves as a board member of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission of Hawai`i, director of the Lokahi Pacific Small Business Administration 504 Program, and council director for Hope Chapel Olomana Christian Fellowship.

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For further information contact:
Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor-Communications
Phone:  586-7708

Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone:  586-0043

Kaulana Park
Homeless Solutions Team Leader
Phone: 586 -3806