The Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association pledged Wednesday to expand the Waikiki homeless outreach program that in the past 11 months served 355 people, including 115 who were assisted with buying airline tickets to leave the state.

The HLTA presented the Institute for Human Services with a check for $100,000 to kick-start another year of Waikiki efforts as well as a $25,000 check for the nonprofit to begin a Maui repatriation program in partnership with the Maui Family Life Center.

“We want to continue building on our success in Waikiki, but also begin making inroads to finding solutions on the neighbor islands,” said Mufi Hannemann, president of the HLTA.

Hannemann said fundraising efforts by the HLTA and visitor industry and allied partners in 2014 and 2015 generated $1.07 million in donations for homeless service programs run by some 37 nonprofit organizations statewide, including IHS. The funds were raised through the annual charity walk and the Hawaii for Hawaii concert, and with in-kind contributions made by industry partners, such as bedding and other household supplies.

With help from the city and the visitor industry, IHS already has surpassed its year-end goal to serve 300 homeless people in Waikiki. The nonprofit has served 355 homeless people in Waikiki since debuting an aggressive visitor industry-supported outreach program in November. Of that total, 254 homeless individuals were removed from the streets, with 139 placed into housing or shelters and an additional 115 relocated outside Hawaii through a repatriation program offering partial fare assistance to qualified homeless applicants wanting to fly home. They’ve also re-branded the free shuttle that takes homeless people to and from Waikiki to IHS’ Iwilei shelters with the more welcoming Aloha Shuttle moniker.

“Today, the situation in Waikiki is much improved, but the problem is not solved,” Hannemann said. “Let me be very clear on this — we cannot afford to rest on our laurels. The program initiated a year ago was just the start. We still have a big job in front of us, one that requires all of our stakeholders to remain diligent in building on the momentum achieved thus far for Waikiki.”

According to IHS, the new Maui program funds will assist a minimum of 80 homeless individuals on Maui with airline relocation to be reconnected with family members, friends or social service providers that can end their homeless situation.

“After launching the homeless outreach program in Waikiki last year, our IHS outreach team received many calls from Maui service providers and clients asking for help. Many were particularly interested in our relocation program,” said IHS Executive Director Connie Mitchell. “There is a high demand statewide to expand this program elsewhere, but we wanted to start with Maui because of its high population of recent arrivals, and knowing there are many direct flights to the mainland.”

Kimo Carvalho, IHS community relations director, said Maui’s needs are underscored by recent data from the 2014 Homeless Services Utilization Report as well as the 2015 Homeless Point in Time Report. Carvalho said Maui’s unsheltered homeless population increased by 16 percent compared with last year and that there was a dramatic rise in new homeless arrivals who would likely benefit from an airline relocation program.

“Returning these people back to their homes will make more shelter space available for local people,” Mitchell said.

Carvalho said next year’s Waikiki program will aim to serve at least another 300 homeless clients. To keep the Waikiki program going in 2016, the visitor industry and its government and private-sector partners will need to raise another $400,000, he said.

“This year, the visitor industry and its partners raised $400,000 at a Hawaii for Hawaii concert held at the Hilton Hawaiian Village great lawn,” Carvalho said. “A similar concert is being discussed for next year.”

Jerry Gibson, area vice president for Hilton Hawaii, said the outpouring of support at this year’s concert was rewarding, but that the visitor industry and its partners must continue the effort.

“Through the joint efforts of numerous organizations and individuals, we are seeing vast improvements in the lives of those in need,” Gibson said. “There is still a long way to go, but our Waikiki is making great strides and hundreds of homeless are in better places today. We hope that this Waikiki pilot can be replicated in other communities throughout Hawaii. Many other communities need these same programs and support.”

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell committed to maintaining his administration’s focus on homeless issues and urged others to embrace the cause, which he said has been a “game changer” for Waikiki.

“I hope those watching from other private sectors will say that we have a part in homelessness, too,” Caldwell said. “We want to work with you … to help find more homes for people less fortunate than those sitting here.”

Hannemann pledged continued support to IHS from the HLTA and its visitor industry partners with a greater emphasis on solving homelessness throughout Hawaii. He announced the formation of the HLTA Homelessness Committee through its Government Affairs division. He said the committee will comprise achievers in the visitor industry, private business and public sector who have reach and influence in communities statewide.

“The committee’s mission will be to keep coming up with new and better solutions to address, correct and solve the homelessness issue throughout Hawaii,” Hannemann said.