About Us
Ka Poʻe o Kaka'ako (KPOK) was **co-founded in 2019 by a group of individuals experiencing homelessness** who were residing in Kaka'ako, Honolulu, HI. With the support and guidance from **Hui Aloha**, KPOK began to organize themselves into their own community.
The community participated in weekly cleanups and meetings, as leaders started reaching out to government officials, the public, and community stakeholders. Their goal was to **advocate for change** and find a viable solution that **protected and cared for everyone**. Through these efforts, KPOK forged trust and strong relationships with nearby businesses, neighborhood board members, leaders in homeless services, government officials, and local residents.
Being part of this community and having a **strong support network** brought its members a sense of belonging, togetherness, and hope. It gave people purpose, increased **kūleana** (responsibility), and motivated individuals to strive for a better life. The positive change was so prominent that it was visibly seen and felt throughout, **transforming public perception of homelessness** within the wider community and beyond. Unfortunately, even with KPOK's success and transformation, the county had other plans, and the KPOK houseless community was "swept" out of Kaka'ako.
Although the county successfully disassembled the KPOK community, its members persevered. With a new perspective on life and the strength to continue bettering themselves, many found their way into **permanent housing**, became **drug-free**, and found **employment**. Others went back to school, earning their college degrees, with some still in pursuit. While some members continue to be houseless, and others have returned to being houseless, one thing remains: their **connection to community** and to each other. This enduring bond gives them the strength and courage to pursue a better life.
Discovering the true power of community and the hope and strength it has given so many, KPOK continues to **support, empower, and advocate for individuals who are houseless**. KPOK believes that with the right kind of support, a sense of belonging, and the opportunity to remain connected to community, we can **ignite hope and create a pathway to a better future**, uniting people and building strong, resilient communities together.
Ka Poʻe o Kakaʻako (KPOK) was born from the resilience and leadership of houseless individuals in Kakaʻako, Hawaiʻi. With the steadfast support of Hui Aloha, they came together to form a self-organized, functional community rooted in aloha and kuleana. Through consistent efforts—cleaning shared spaces, advocating for their rights, and showing up in civic and community gatherings—they made their presence known not just as individuals, but as a united force for change. These acts of aloha and kuleana transformed both their physical environment and the way the broader community saw them: as leaders, neighbors, and protectors of life. In building trust and connection, they laid the foundation for a thriving community rooted in dignity, resilience, and hope.
Today, KPOK continues to serve the houseless community in ways that empower, connect, and protect life, with a focus on health and well-being, leadership development, and social integration. As we look to the wisdom of our past, we find a better way into the future—one that is led with aloha and kuleana, full of promise, and where everyone has a rightful place and purpose in society.