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Hale Pono Youth Shelter is expected to open in spring

Teran James Young Foundation Executive Director Genesis Young (from left), board member and primary funder Sulara James, Rob Baur of Baur Pacific Builders, Teran James Young Foundation Director of Programs and Training David Litman and site lead Dane Shiraki stand in the intake room of the future Hale Pono Youth Shelter in Wailuku that is slated to open in the spring. Photos courtesy of Teran James Young Foundation

The Maui News

A shelter offering safe short-term living space for Maui teens until they can be reunited with their families or find other supportive living arrangements is expected to open in Wailuku in the spring, funders of the project announced Monday.

Renovations are underway for the two-story, 7,100-square-foot Hale Pono Youth Shelter, which will be open to youth of all genders ages 12 to 17 who are dealing with emotional or behavioral problems, truancy, domestic violence, trauma or other challenges.

Located at 1727 Wili Pa Loop, the shelter will have 13 beds and serve as a hub for referrals to other community programs, services and resources available to Maui youth.

Funding the project are Sulara James and Genesis Young, founders of nonprofit Teran James Young Foundation, which offers services and programs to Maui schools and the community.

David Litman, director of programs and training at the Teran James Young Foundation, stands upstairs in the new shelter common area on Nov. 22. Photos courtesy of Teran James Young Foundation

“Hale Pono is based on our belief that each person of any age is precious, and that love, honor and respect are the keys to supporting and encouraging everyone’s gifts, happiness, self-respect and success in life,” James said in a news release.

The only criteria for entry to the shelter are that youth can perform basic self-care and are not a danger to themselves or others, according to the news release. Access to the shelter and its programs will be completely voluntary.

Hale Pono programs and activities will be free of charge and open to youth, who do not need to be residing at the shelter to participate in programs.

The goal will be to have stays of 30 days or less, as the primary goal of the shelter is family reunification or placement into long-term living arrangements. Hale Pono is not a treatment facility of any kind, though therapeutic and other needed services will be coordinated for youth and their families as needed.

Currently, there are few other shelters in Maui for youth and their families. Hale Pono will be unique in its focus on short-term stays and thus its ability to serve a large number of those in need, according to the news release.

“In certain situations, youth and families can benefit from time and space from one another,” said David Litman, director of programs and training at the foundation. “Some youth are not in tenable living situations and need a safe space with support while long-term plans are being made.”

One of the offerings the shelter will provide is conflict resolution skills that allow youth to resolve conflict positively and safely. All programs and procedures of Hale Pono are based on nonviolent communication, restorative justice and trauma-invested principles.

The shelter’s timeline for opening depends on the completion of renovations. All building permits have been obtained, the exterior of the building has been “rejuvenated” and interior renovations are on schedule, according to the news release.

Hale Pono will be needing staff, mentors and volunteers as the opening approaches.

For more information on the project, visit teranjy.org or contact Litman at (808) 866-0833 or david@teranjy.org.

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