The state announced a partnership with homeless service providers and advocates that allows the public to report homeless people by calling in or e-mailing information to four centers around the state.

The new initiative was described as a way for people who want to help someone who is homeless to be able to do so.

 “In Hawai’i, we have a natural inclination to want to help others, but when it comes to homelessness, sometimes people are unsure of how they can contribute,” Gov. Neil Abercrombie said in a press release today. “With the generosity and support of these organizations, we enable people to help those in need.”

According to the press release, the public and trigger “health and safety intervention” by contacting four centers (e-mail preferred):

>> Waikiki Health Center’s Care-A-Van Program on Oahu: 791-9359; homelesshelp@waikikihc.org.

>> HOPE Services on Hawaii Island: 935-3050 or info@hopeserviceshawaii.org.

>> Family Life Center on Maui: 877-0880 or wanda@flcmaui.org.

>> Kauai Economic Opportunity: 245-4077, ext. 228 or keo@keoinc.org.

Callers will be asked to provide location and times when the homeless person frequents an area and detailed descriptions of the person or groups. Callers will be required to leave their contact information.

“Addressing homelessness, as with all of Hawaii’s challenges, requires us to work together in new ways. Our plan is to invest in the interventions, services, housing, and other efforts that will lead to long term solutions where we all take responsibility for our community,” Abercrombie said in the press release.