KAILUA-KONA, Hawai‘i — More than 20 homeless individuals and volunteers, along with seven police officers, spent Thursday morning painting all of the gates at Old Kona Airport Park as participants in the fourth HONOUR program.
The basis of HONOUR, the brainchild of Hawaii Police Department Kona Community Policing Officer Wyatt Nahale, is to integrate the homeless back into the community by having them work on projects under positive guidance. He’s heard from individuals who’ve told him that they are tired of being labeled because of the troublemakers and want to do something good for the community.
Nahale said Thursday’s event was a resounding success with six main gates getting a fresh coat of paint.
“It was really a great event,” he said. “We had homeless individuals that participated from all different areas of town.”
He said he was looking for a project to complete, as the program was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic and he wanted it to resume.
“I reached out to Parks Director Maurice Messina and asked him if he had any ideas for projects within the parks and he immediately responded with this idea,” said Nahale, adding the county provided the paint and brushes. “They were extremely happy to hear that we were able to finish all of the gates.”
Participants repainted the current gates to their usual “safety yellow” color to restore years of fade and corrosion.
Nahale said Regina Weller, of 808 Homeless Task Force, fed participants a pizza lunch and handed out food cards to the homeless individuals.
“To have this group all together with police and other community volunteers and leaders was very empowering,” said Nahale. “Several officers stated that this project brings us back into the real side of our community.”
He said he is working on having another project before Christmas. For more information, or to volunteer for future events contact Nahale at (808) 326-4646, Ext. 259.
To date, the program has assisted in excess of 200 homeless individuals and volunteers with various services. Working with local service providers, the program has provided airfare for reunification with family members in their hometowns, purchased and provided vehicles, and provides employment opportunities and interim and permanent housing.
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West Hawai‘i Today reporter Laura Ruminski can be reached at lruminski@westhawaiitoday.com.
