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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0067.007 2024-2026Anne van Leynseele, Esq. 83-5599E Middle Ke'ei Road Captain Cook, Hawaii 96704 425-314-6759 ( avanley of aol.com January 21, 2025 VIA email only :a RE: Resolution 46-25 for the 2025 Homelessness and Housing Fund Awards Dear Council Members: Humanity Iale is making a much needed positive impact in our community. As a lifelong advocate for at -risk youth and President of the Board of Directors, I am privileged to serve by guiding the organization in governance, policy development, liability protections, and exemplary community engagement. By profession, I am a regulatory lawyer with fifteen years in practice, including four years with the first Obama Administration, and further legislative work at the state and county level, including for Hawai'i state and Hawai'i island. Background The problem of traumatized young people on Hawaii Island has a negative impact on our community manifested in homelessness, teens failing to get quality education, and their inability to launch successfully into adulthood. This pressing issue demands immediate attention and action to provide Hawaii Island's children with the self-esteem and tools to build a successful and happy life. Fortunately, led by founder Charis Higginson, Humanity Hale developed an innovative and effective solution to this growing problem. Humanity Hale provides a diverse set of initiatives that serve the youth of Hawaii Island. Its program for art therapy benefits children by providing a safe non-verbal outlet for expressing their emotions and processing difficult experiences; this approach enhances self-esteem, emotional resilience, and coping mechanisms by increasing sensory integration. Humanity Hale's group and individual therapy fosters safety and emotional regulation by providing a non- judgmental environment. Children share experiences, learn social skills, and gain resilience through peer validation and collaborative problem solving. Life skills training provides foster children and at -risk youth with essential tools to navigate challenges and build confidence. Humanity Hale's methods promote independence by teaching practical living domains including time and financial management; employment skills and responsible behavior; nutrition, health, and wellbeing. Teaching clear communication, active listening, open-mindedness, and improved expression leads to better functioning in personal relationships as well as in the workplace and community. Humanity Hale makes a tangible difference in the lives of the youth they serve. Its benefit to marginalized young people is inspiring, and I know that their work is crucial for addressing the challenges faced by our community. I strongly believe that Humanity Hale is the right solution for the complex problems faced in the unique culture of island living. Humanity Hale has a proven track record of success with the experience and expertise to execute projects tailored to individual and family needs. I was made aware in June 2024 that the following occurred, and am compelled to provide this information and request. Alleged Breach of Policy and Procedure Legal Questions: 1. Did Humanity Hale trusted the current grant officer and application process to its detriment? 2. Were the funds awarded to Neighborhood Place of Puna consistent with the letter and spirit of all Hawai'i County and Hawai'i state grant application procedures? 3. Did Ms. Hirota breach protocol and confidentiality when she included Mr. Norman in a meeting and induced Humanity Hale to provide proprietary information outside a formal grant application submission? 4. Does Ms. Hirota's pattern of behavior constitute favorable treatment to a personal friend in violation of the competitive grant application procedure? Facts Ms. Sharon L. I-lirota of the County of Hawai'i's Office of Housing and Community Development inappropriately included Mr. Paul Norman of Neighborhood Place of Puna in a meeting with Humanity Hale's Founder, Charis Higginson. Ms. Hirota presented that the meeting was for the purpose of, "My team is working on securing funding to support and address the needs of your out -of -school youth as it relates to Mental Health services." (Exhibit 1, email from Ms. Hirota to Ms. Higginson dated Fri, Mar 1, 2024, at 9:44 AM.) In the meeting, Ms. Hirota requested and shortly thereafter received a forty-three page humanity Hale transitional housing program description from Ms. Higginson and never heard back from Ms. Hirota regarding the funding eluded to in her request for a meeting. On May 9th, Ms. Higginson sent an email asking the status of the funding. In this email, Ms. Higginson also states, "I have some concerns about the confidentiality of the information shared. I would appreciate confirmation that the details provided will not be disclosed to external parties or utilized for purposes beyond the expansion plans of Humanity Hale." Exhibit 2, Follow -Up on Recent Meeting and Funding Inquiry for Humanity Hale's Housing Project email sent on Thu, May 9, 2024, at 11:53 A.M. Later, when pressed by Ms. Higginson, Ms. Hirota said that there was no money for transitional housing in the budget for 2024. However, according to County of Hawai'i's Office of Housing and Community Development 2024 funding report. Mr. Norman was granted $3,082,281.00 in funds, in part, specifically because Neighborhood Place of Puna suddenly created a transitional housing facility. The transitional housing project is strikingly similar to that in the Humanity Hale's proposal. Further, I understand that Regina Weller, from the 808 Task Force, had a similar experience with Ms. Hirota providing proprietary information from her organization to Mr. Norman, who in turn also seemingly recreated Ms. Weller's program idea and received funds approved by Ms. Hirota. Conclusion In sum, we live on a small island and personal relations abound. But here, there is sufficient evidence of potential breaches of county and state grant decision procedure, confidentiality, and approval processes to warrant a freeze on distributing any grant funds until a thorough investigation is concluded. It is appropriate for the Council members to contact the Hawai'i Attorney General's office and request an investigate into the communications, grant applications, approval process, and any misappropriation of funds by Neighborhood Place of Puna that were intended for those deserving of these critical services. Please feel free to contact me if you need any additional information. Sincerely, b4*,4" Anne van Leynseele - Forwarded message --------- From: Hirota, Sharon L <SharonL.Hirota a_,hawaiicoun ov> Date: Fri, Mar 1, 2024 at 9:44 AM Subject: Reaching out to Connect To: 1-iumanityhale@gtnail.com <huinanityhalekVmail.com> CC: Mercado, Keiko <Keiko.Mercado a a-,vaiicounty Gov>, Paul Norman <paul chi neighborhood llace.o�> Aloha e Charis, I hope this email finds you well. I am reaching out in hopes we can find time to connect with you and explore the potential opportunity to collaborate in the delivery of services for our youth. My team is working on securing funding to support and address the needs of your out -of -school youth as it relates to Mental Health services. We are now in the process of meeting with various organizations to learn about the need, challenges and ideas on types of programs that could be enhanced or developed should funding become available. We'd love to get your insights. Please let me know a convenient time for you to schedule a meeting. My team and I are available to connect on the following days and times: • Monday, March 4th at 10am • Tuesday, March 5"' at 12pm or • Thursday, March 7th at 1lam Let me know if one of these days/times work for you and/or your team. Looking forward to connecting. Take Care. Sharon Sharon L. Hirota County of Hawai'i Office of Housing and Community Development Email: Sharonl.hirota a,ha�vaiicoun ,. ov Phone: (808) 961-8379 -- Forwarded message --------- From: Charis Higginson <humanhale(rnail.com> Date: Thu, May 9, 2024 at 11:53 AM Subject: Follow -Up on Meeting with Humanity Hale To: I Iirota, Sharon L<SharonL.HirotaghaNvaiicounty.gov>, Paul Norman <paul o,neighborhoodplace.org> Follow -Up on Recent Meeting and Funding Inquiry for Humanity Hale's Housing Project Aloha Sharon and Paul! I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to reach out following our recent meeting to seek clarification on the topics discussed. I'm a bit unclear about the purpose of our last meeting and whether there is upcoming funding available for Humanity Hale's initiatives. Since our discussion, I haven't received any updates, and I'm eager to understand if there has been any progress regarding our efforts to provide housing for children transitioning out of foster care. Additionally, I had attached our pitch deck during our meeting, and I have some concerns about the confidentiality of the information shared. I would appreciate confirmation that the details provided will not be disclosed to external parties or utilized for purposes beyond the expansion plans of Humanity Hale. Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I look forward to your prompt response. Mahalo nui, Charis Me ka mahalo piha! Ua ola loko i ke aloha — "Love gives life within" Charis, Founder/Executive Director https: / /www.humanityhale.or2 Humanityhale @trmai� l com 808-990-2892