KAPA‘A — Ron Moriguchi scanned the surface of the newly-placed leveling material Thursday as the Project Vision Hawai‘i Hi‘ehi‘e mobile hot-shower unit moved into place at All Saints Episcopal Church.
“We just leveled the parking area,” said Wayne Doliente of the church.
“Now, the larger trucks can access more of the areas around the All Saints gym.”
Doliente was joined by Carolyn Moriguchi in welcoming the new addition to its Thursday lineup.
“We’re offering bag lunch (it’s COVID-19 safe) for patrons to the Hi‘ehi‘e mobile hot shower,” Carolyn Moriguchi said.
“We also have drink. We were going to use plastic disposable cups, but those aren’t COVID-compliant, so we’re using paper cups. I also have people signed up to do lunch on the shower’s next visit on the third Thusday of the month.”
Grace Meek of Project Vision Hawai‘i was busy getting the Hi‘ehi‘e unit set up near the gym.
“I’m so glad the church called,” Meek said.
“We are wrapping up the first phase of the Hi‘ehi‘e rollout, and now moving into phase two that calls for more sites and community partners,” she said.
“The Hi‘ehi‘e showers will be available at this site on the first and third Thursday of each month from noon to 3 p.m.”
Patrons using the Hi‘ehi‘e service are provided with free towels and soap, and in the case of the church stop, a bag lunch courtesy of the church.
Hi‘ehi‘e, translated from Hawaiian, means “dignity” or “pride,” and the mobile shower is one of the programs being offered by Project Vision Hawai‘i.
The mobile hot-shower program offers the island’s houseless community an opportunity at hygiene, health, privacy and confidence.
The mobile hot-shower unit is available every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Salvation Army Lihu‘e Corps, across Hardy Street from the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall.
The weekly Tuesday stop offers clients a hot meal, and representatives from Ho‘ola Lahui Hawai‘i discuss medical issues.
Hi‘ehi‘e moves to The Salvation Army Hanapepe Corps on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., where patrons also get a hot meal with their shower, and the presence of Ho‘ola Lahui to discuss medical needs.
On a recent trip, The Salvation Army’s Lt. Amy Lewis said patrons were treated to a new outfit from the thrift store, and in addition to Ho‘ola Lahui, representatives from the state Department of Education were on hand to address the needs of children from houseless communities.
Meek said with the first and third Thursday locked up in Kapa‘a, she has room for the second and fourth Thursday for any community partner looking to provide the hot-shower service for the houseless community.
Visit projectvisionhawaii.org for more information.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
