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Hawaiʻi Island Homeless Point in Time Count Begins

February 2, 2026

(Video screenshot courtesy of HOPE Services Hawai‘i)

From Hope Services Hawai‘i

Hawai‘i Island – Volunteers and outreach staff fanned out across Hawai‘i Island early Monday morning 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. 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.

“The homeless point in time count is about more than just numbers,” says Carrie Ho‘opiʻi, Director of Outreach at HOPE Services Hawaiʻi. “This is our chance to come together with community partners, combine our expertise, and show up in unity for those experiencing homelessness. It allows us not only to gather critical data, but to be present, build trust, and remind people that they are seen, valued, and not alone. Through collaboration and teamwork, we strengthen our collective efforts to create real, lasting solutions.”

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.

“As the Council Member representing much of Hilo, including our special Downtown area, homelessness is the issue that keeps me up at night more than any other, said Hawai‘i County Councilmember Jenn Kagiwada, who volunteered to participate in the count.

“The growing number of people unhoused and living on the streets of Hilo is most alarming and mirrors what is happening in most other towns and cities in the state and around the country,” Kagiwada continued.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in this important data-gathering activity, the homeless point-in-time count, in order to better understand the complexities of the issue and inform our collective work of reducing the number of unhoused in our community.”

For many volunteers, the count represents both data collection and human connection—an opportunity to hear the stories behind the statistics and spotlight community efforts to address housing insecurity.

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.

Those wishing to donate their time, talents, or financial support to our neighbors in need can visit hopeserviceshawaii.org.

Results from the 2026 Point in Time Count will be compiled in the coming months and shared publicly once verified.

About HOPE Services Hawaii, Inc.
HOPE Services Hawaii, Inc. is a nonprofit affiliate organization of the Roman Catholic Church in the State of Hawaii. It works to make homelessness rare, brief, and nonrecurring on Hawaii Island. HOPE manages nine shelters with 166 beds and 155 housing units across the island and provides outreach, street medicine, behavioral health, housing, prevention, diversion, case management, and more. To make a referral, visit hopeserviceshawaii.org or call 808-935-3050.