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Concerns Rise Over Hilo Women's Shelter Safety

3/5/2026

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Story summary
  • Hale Maluhia, an emergency shelter for women in Hilo operated by Hope Services Hawai‘i, has not undergone a county fire inspection since opening five years ago.
  • Staff say the shelter is safe, but it lacks required emergency exits, and residents on the Big Island are concerned.
  • The shelter has state and county funding.
  • A performance audit of the county homelessness funding is expected later this year, with funding authorized through 2027.