Tomorrow, Wednesday March 25 the upcoming Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Kauaʻi County Operating Budget will be on the Council agenda.

Please join me in submitting testimony via email tonight – encouraging the Kauaʻi County Council to increase the amount available homeless services, outreach, and emergency shelters.

Your testimony can be very brief.

Please keep it courteous and professional 😉

Below for your reference is a copy of testimony I have submitted.
Please do not just copy it 🙂 but put something into your own words – short and to the point is good.

Though it is always an interesting experience, it is not necessary to actually attend this meeting and there will be other opportunities in the future to testify as well. I will not be attending.

Thank you in advance for any help you can offer now, tonight.

If you need a reminder as to how serious the situation is, read my blog piece “No Room At The Inn”.

counciltestimony@kauai.gov

03/25/26

Testimony to Kauai County Council
Agenda Item – L. 1 – Proposed Draft Bill (No. 2988)
A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE OPERATING BUDGET AND FINANCING THEREOF FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2026 TO JUNE 30, 2027 (Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Operating Budget)

Aloha Council Chair Rapozo and Councilmembers,

My name is Gary Hooser, and while I work with several organizations on different issues, today I am speaking on my own behalf – in support of increased County funding for homelessness programs and facilities.

It is my understanding the proposed 2026-2027 County budget includes $500,000 to fund nonprofit organizations who submit grant applications for homeless services, outreach, emergency shelters and related items.

It is also my understanding that $500,000 is the same amount as was included in the previous 2025-2026 budget, and the County actually received grant applications from various nonprofits totaling approximately $1.7 million.

Because of the critical lack of emergency beds, temporary shelters, direct out-reach services, transitional support, and safe overnight parking zones, I respectfully request that the Kauai County Council amend the proposed budget to at least $1.5 million – and earmark as a priority those grant proposals that provide “Safe Zones” for those homeless now living in their cars.

At the moment, there is literally no legal, safe place for a homeless person to sleep on Kauai. With few exceptions, emergency beds are essentially nonexistent.
For those living in their cars, there is no legal place for them to park and sleep either.

The existing $500,000 dedicated as grants for homeless services, while greatly appreciated, is clearly insufficient and there are many, many qualified nonprofits ready, willing and able to provide the additional services that are critically needed – if funding support by the County were increased appropriately.

The Hawaiʻi County Council recently (12/25) authorized $6 million in similar grants for their homeless programs/services and are also auditing those grant awards to ensure the funds are well spent.

Thank you in advance for any positive consideration you can offer to significantly increase funding for similar services here in Kauai County.

Sincerely,
Gary Hooser
808-652-4279