Kauai Declares Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week in November

Kauai County officials will gather on Monday, Nov. 10 at 10 a.m. in the Lihue Civic Center Moikeha Rotunda to proclaim Nov. 16 to Nov. 22 as National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. The weeklong recognition is meant to educate residents about local poverty, honor service providers and volunteers, and spotlight systems of support that address housing instability and food insecurity across the island.

The Housing Agency and community partners will stage Project Housing Connect outreach events at three locations during the official week. The first event will be on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at the Lihue Salvation Army. A second event will be on Wednesday, Nov. 19 at the Hanapepe Salvation Army. The final event will be on Thursday, Nov. 20 at All Saints Church in Kapaa. Each event will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is intended to provide direct services, referrals and information to residents in need.

The campaign emphasizes that homelessness and hunger are not isolated problems. “Homelessness on Kauai continues to be a complex challenge that requires the entire community’s support to address,” said Farah Aquino, the Kauai County Housing Agency’s Homeless Coordinator. “Food insecurity and hunger also affect many of our working class families.” Those words point to the intersection of employment, housing costs and access to basic needs that many local families confront, and they underline why broad community engagement matters.

Organizers say the week will also recognize the network of nonprofit agencies and volunteers that deliver services islandwide. “We are deeply grateful for our partners, the Hawaii Foodbank Kauai, Kauai Independent Food Bank, Family Life Center, Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hale Opio, Paa Lima, Project Vision Hawaii, and the many other nonprofit organizations that work tirelessly every day to help those in need. We could not do this work without them,” Aquino said. The Housing Agency also conveyed a mahalo to the many partners and organizations that collaborate on outreach and service delivery.

From a public health perspective, coordinated outreach can improve access to nutrition, medical care and supportive housing referrals, and reduce the community spread of illnesses that disproportionately affect people without stable shelter. Ensuring interpreters and auxiliary aids are available for events also promotes equity by making services accessible to residents with limited English proficiency and disabilities. Resource materials for the week include contact information for Project Housing Connect and Kauai Community Alliance, and instructions for requesting interpreters and auxiliary aids.

For Kauai residents, the week is a reminder that solutions require sustained policy attention, funding for affordable housing and integrated social services, and ongoing community involvement. The public events offer immediate assistance and an opportunity for neighbors to connect with agencies working to prevent and reduce homelessness and hunger on the island.