Maui County mayor suggests establishing homeless sanctuaries

WAILUKU >> Maui County is considering sanctuaries as the population of homeless individuals rises faster than anywhere else in the state.

Maui News reports Mayor Alan Arakawa’s multimillion-dollar “Homeless Initiative” lists several locations for temporary camps. He said no other county has a homeless population growing faster than on Maui.

Council members deferred action on Thursday pending the submission of specific proposals within the week.

Gov. David Ige issued an emergency proclamation on Oct. 16 that lifts certain state and county restrictions for 60 days to get people into housing faster.

Arakawa’s sanctuaries would house up to 100 people and could cost as much as $1 million each to establish. Annual operating costs for social services would be $400,000, with unanticipated costs projected at $200,000.