Reverend Larry Silva, Bishop | Diocese of Honolulu

HOPE Services Hawaiʻi has inaugurated the Kahua Kahe Mālie Integrated Care Hub in Ainaloa, a new facility aimed at providing medical respite and behavioral health care for the homeless population on Hawaiʻi Island. The hub's opening ceremony took place on TreeFern Drive, marking a significant development in healthcare services for those experiencing homelessness.

The Integrated Care Hub expands HOPE’s existing medical respite program, which started in 2021 with limited capacity. This expansion was made possible through partnerships with Hilo Benioff Medical Center, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, and various state and county organizations. These collaborations have enabled the program to offer essential care to individuals recovering from illness or injury while lacking stable housing.

Kahua Kahe Mālie provides comprehensive services including wound care, chronic disease management, medication support, and behavioral health care. The facility is staffed around the clock by housing staff, mental health professionals, case managers, and an on-call APRN prescriber.

Brandee Menino, CEO of HOPE Services Hawaiʻi, emphasized the transformative potential of the new facility: "Today, Kahua Kahe Mālie becomes a foundation for hope and transformation." Dan Brinkman from Hilo Benioff Medical Center highlighted the importance of medical respite in aiding recovery post-hospitalization: “Having a place that offers both care and stability can make a real difference in someone’s healing.”

The new location consolidates two previously separate programs—Wilder House and Kuleana House—into one site for more efficient service delivery. Support from organizations like AlohaCare and United Healthcare will allow further expansion of bed capacity.

State Senator Joy San Buenaventura noted the lack of residential psychiatric facilities on Hawaiʻi Island and praised the collaboration among key stakeholders: “It is a small step in the right direction towards providing more intensive behavioral health care in East Hawaiʻi."

Referrals to Kahua Kahe Mālie are facilitated by partner organizations who also contribute funding. Additional financial support comes from state and county offices dedicated to homelessness solutions.

Patients are expected to begin moving into the facility starting August 1. Community members are encouraged to support HOPE Services Hawaiʻi through donations or volunteer efforts.