Ponahawai Ola Community Reintegration Program

Area of Focus:   Homeless
Website: http://www.catholichawaii.org/social_ministry/careavan.php

In August 2006, the Ponahawai Ola transitional housing program in Hilo welcomed its first participants.  Ponahawai Ola provides housing and supportive services to those transitioning into the community from Hawai`i’s state prison system.  Residents must express the desire to work towards positive changes in their lives and agree to participate in this supportive housing program.

Ponahawai Ola’s goal is to ensure that the transition from incarceration to law-abiding community member occurs as smoothly as possible and that participants establish new life habits.  The program is explicitly designed to address the factors that lead people to re-offend; the program supports the well-being of the individual and of the larger community.

Ponahawai Ola provides housing in 20 studio units and two, two-bedroom shared units for up to two years.  Ponahawai Ola addresses criminal thinking and behavior head on.  Positive social activities are offered to prevent participants from returning to anti-social friends and behavior. 
The program provides intensive case management and includes assistance in obtaining identification documents, work clothes, education, job training and employment.  On nights and weekends, life skills specialists provide training and support in social skills, appropriate communication, cooking and cleaning.  Through completion of classes such as the renter’s education course, the participant qualifies for financial assistance for costs such as security deposit and first month’s rent, utility deposits and transportation.

Between August 2006 and June 30, 2007, Ponahawai Ola had 42 participants, 18 women and 24 men.  Of the 26 who exited the program, 35% moved into permanent rental housing; 23% went to live with relatives and friends; 19% were re-incarcerated; 8% left for medical treatment; 12% are unknown; and 4% left for the streets.