Nobody thinks living in one’s car is ideal, or even advisable. But as a stopgap for people who otherwise would be on the street, it happens more commonly than most realize. It appears that Maui County has grasped that fact, and is launching a one-year pilot program allowing the homeless to sleep in cars at a county-owned lot.

For a state where low-income sheltering choices are in short supply, it’s good to see some officials have done a reality check. It may be time for out-of-the-box — even if not in-the-car — thinking.