Citizen Portal
Sign In

Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!

Claim Your Spot

Get email alerts on the Homeless Services topic

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Committee forwards one-year lease authorization to keep Hope Services operating West Hawaii emergency shelter

Hawaii County Council — Committee on Finance · February 17, 2026
AI-Generated Content: All content on this page was generated by AI to highlight key points from the meeting. For complete details and context, we recommend watching the full video. so we can fix them.

Summary

The Finance Committee moved Resolution 462-26 to Council with a favorable recommendation to negotiate a one-year lease (with one-year option) of county property to Hope Services Hawaii for use as an assessment center and emergency shelter; staff said Hope Services has operated the site since 2019 and one-year terms let the county maintain operational oversight.

The Finance Committee on Feb. 17 voted to forward Resolution 462-26 to the full council with a favorable recommendation. The resolution authorizes the director of finance to negotiate the disposition of county property (TMK 74010044) by lease to Hope Services Hawaii Incorporated to continue operating the West Hawaii Emergency Homeless Shelter and related services.

Housing Administrator Kehoe Acosta said Hope Services has leased the Powai Place shelter from the county since 2019 and that the current authorization seeks a one‑year lease with a one‑year option to help the county maintain oversight of operations and align lease terms with contracted service periods. The property will continue to be used as an assessment center and emergency shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness.

Council members asked about the funding sources and whether circular funding (county grants to nonprofits that then pay lease costs) was occurring; the administrator said Hope Services has been the lessee since 2019 and explained the RFP and leasing history. Another council member asked why the lease term is short; staff said one‑year terms provide flexibility and help the county monitor operations and program alignment.

The committee approved forwarding the measure with a favorable recommendation (voice vote recorded as 7 in favor; two members absent). The matter will proceed to full council for final action and any contracting details.

CivIQMessage your representative