[§346-388.3]  Ohana zones program; establishment; reports.  (a)  There is established within the office the ohana zones program to provide temporary housing and services to homeless individuals and families based on principles similar to the housing first program.

     (b)  The office shall determine the number and locations of ohana zone sites, which shall be situated on public or private lands in accordance with subsection (c).

     (c)  The office may coordinate with public or private entities, as appropriate, to develop and implement the ohana zones program; provided that:

     (1)  If any public land under the jurisdiction of a state or county agency is determined to be suitable for use as an ohana zone, the office shall:

          (A)  Work with the appropriate state or county agency that controls the land to transfer the land designated for use as an ohana zone to an agency whose mission is more suited to the management of ohana zones; and

          (B)  Work with the appropriate state or county agency that controls the land and its construction agency to ensure that an ohana zone's infrastructure needs are met and minimize adverse impacts to the environment, including to nearshore resources, such as corals, reef fish, and seabirds;

     (2)  Use of any private lands determined to be suitable for use as an ohana zone shall be for limited purposes and require a written agreement between the private land owner and any state or county agency that any structure built with public funds may be moved or is temporary; provided further that if the land ceases to be used for an ohana zone or low-income housing before the time specified in the agreement, the state or county agency may choose to move the structure off the private land to a location of the state or county agency's choosing; and

     (3)  The ohana zones program may allow for off-the-grid technologies that can:

          (A)  Provide drinking water and electricity; and

          (B)  Process sewage,

          without existing infrastructure; provided further that ohana zone sites with the ability to hook up to electricity, water, and sewer shall be preferred when considering ohana zone sites; provided further that connections to these utilities shall be made as soon as the project is able, unless there is a more cost-effective renewable energy option.

     (d)  The ohana zones program may provide the following facilities and services at each ohana zone site:

     (1)  Secure dwelling spaces that:

          (A)  May be private or communal;

          (B)  Have access to toilets, showers, and other hygiene facilities; and

          (C)  Have access to an area for food storage and meal preparation;

     (2)  Medical and social support services; and

     (3)  Transportation to appointments related to medical care or supportive services that are not available onsite.

     (e)  The office shall establish the following:

     (1)  The evaluation criteria and process that the office shall use each year when reviewing the success and sustainability of the ohana zones; and

     (2)  Monitoring and oversight controls over the ohana zones to identify, address, and prevent possible fraud, waste, and abuse and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws.

     (f)  The coordinator shall compile and consolidate information from the office to effectuate this section and submit a report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session, which shall include:

     (1)  Data on the number of beds, occupancy, duration of stay, types of services provided, and next planned destination of participants who left the ohana zone;

     (2)  An evaluation of the ohana zones to determine whether the objectives set have been met or exceeded; and

     (3)  Any proposed changes that need to be made to the performance measures used to assess the achievement of program goals. [L 2025, c 309, §5]