About Neighborhood Place of Puna
Neighborhood Place of Puna is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting families and individuals on Hawaiʻi Island with accessing the necessary tools and resources they need to thrive; to create a safe, stable, and nurturing community.
E mālama pono kākou!
Our mission is to empower families and communities in Puna and East Hawaiʻi by building strong foundations through healthy relationships that value each person’s uniqueness.
We are a Hawaiʻi Island-based nonprofit working to end homelessness, prevent child abuse and neglect, and support healing and resilience in our communities. We connect families and individuals with practical resources and compassionate support—offering everything from housing navigation and parenting education to crisis assistance and personal development opportunities.
We serve families with young children, community members needing access to resources, individuals or youth and young adults experiencing homelessness or facing housing instability—meeting people where they are with non-judgmental, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed care.
Our Approach
We offer a non-stigmatizing, strength-based approach to care that includes:
Emergency shelter and housing navigation
Basic needs support (food, hygiene, utility assistance, and more)
Parenting and life skills education
Crisis coordination and disaster response
Opportunities for healing, growth, and connection
Whether it’s a family trying to stay housed, an individual seeking help navigating resources, or a young adult experiencing homelessness, Neighborhood Place of Puna is here to support and uplift.
Our Story
Neighborhood Place of Puna was founded in 2002 in response to the alarming rates of child abuse and neglect in Puna—particularly among Native Hawaiian families. At that time, children were being removed from their homes at disproportionately high rates, often due to issues rooted in poverty and lack of access to resources.
Our humble beginnings were as a program under the YMCA, led by visionary founder Mary Hyslop, with a small office in a house next to Sacred Heart Catholic Church across Pāhoa High School. In 2006, we became an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, allowing us to expand our programs and deepen our roots in the community.
Over the years, our work has evolved in response to community needs:
2011: Paul Normann became Executive Director, leading our growth and community development efforts during the Great Recession.
2014: After Hurricane Iselle devastated Puna, we stepped into a coordinating role for nonprofit disaster relief efforts.
2018: During the Kīlauea eruption, we served over 2,500 households through disaster outreach and long-term recovery, assisting 254 families with housing and financial support.
2019: We opened Hale ʻIki Family Assessment Center, Puna’s only emergency shelter dedicated to families with children.
2020-2021: Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we partnered with nonprofits and local agencies to deliver rent, utility, and basic needs assistance while continuing services both in-person and virtually.
Today, NPP is the second largest homeless services provider in Hawaiʻi County, with more than 50 dedicated staff members. We continue to serve as a trusted community hub and backbone agency, coordinating services and partnerships to help families thrive.
Recent Programs and Initiatives
The Coordination Center: A drop-in and call center that serves as a first point of contact for Hawaiʻi County residents seeking help. We assist individuals in locating, navigating, and connecting with housing, financial, and health-related resources across the island.
Family Resource Center: Providing families with underage children access to parenting support, hygiene supplies, skill-building workshops, and housing navigation.
Hale ʻIki Emergency Shelter: Serving families experiencing homelessness with temporary housing and housing navigation support.
Anchor Point Youth Center: A new drop-in center in downtown Hilo offering a safe space and support for youth and young adults (ages 14–24) facing homelessness or housing instability.
Homeless Engagement Team: Dedicated to transforming lives through compassionate outreach and comprehensive support for individuals, couples, and families facing unsheltered homelessness across Hawai‘i County. HET provides intensive, housing-first case management that prioritizes immediate access to essential services and empowers participants to secure permanent housing.
- Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP): Helps Hawaiʻi Island households that experienced economic hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic and are struggling to pay rent. The program provides rental assistance payments and housing stability services to eligible households.
Looking Ahead
Neighborhood Place of Puna remains committed to addressing not just symptoms, but the root causes of poverty, housing insecurity, and family stress. We advocate for systemic change while continuing to meet urgent community needs through direct service, connection, and care.
Together—with our staff, partners, and community—we are building a stronger, more resilient Hawaiʻi Island where all families have the support they need to thrive.