Hawaii extends emergency declaration to fight homelessness

By CATHY BUSSEWITZ
Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) - Hawaii has extended the state's emergency declaration to fight homelessness.

Lieut. Gov. Shan Tsutsui announced the move Tuesday. It's the state's third extension since Gov. David Ige declared a state of emergency in October.

Hawaii has the highest rate of homelessness per capita in the nation. Tsutsui says there's still a lot of work to do to address the crisis and the state has to keep momentum going to help the homeless community.

The extension will help Maui's effort to establish long-term housing in Wailuku, which aims to help 64 to 128 households. It's also designed to help the counties of Honolulu, Kauai and Hawaii repair and maintain their shelters.

Ige's homelessness coordinator Scott Morishige says the extension puts an emphasis on the need for long-term housing for the homeless.