“This place saved my life.”
Randall found more than a roof at Alana Ola Pono Kauhale. He found healing. Community. A second chance.
Before arriving here, Randall was living unhoused at Kawaikui Beach Park and Ala Wai Park. His health was declining, though he didn’t realize how serious it had become. After being hospitalized, he received two blood transfusions that likely saved his life.
Not long after, he came to Alana Ola Pono. Today, he is surrounded by people who care, doing meaningful work, and finding his way back to the person he knew he could be.
“They teach you how to be self-sufficient. That’s what I like about this place. Everybody has a job over here.”
“I have nothing but gratitude and everybody wants to do the right thing and to prove to themselves that I can do this. I can be part of society again.”
Randall’s story is just one of many at Alana Ola Pono Kauhale. This community of 43 homes, shared facilities, and supportive services sits in Iwilei, in the heart of Honolulu. Built by HomeAid Hawai‘i in partnership with the State of Hawai‘i, and operated and managed by The Institute for Human Services, this kauhale is helping individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness rebuild their lives.
