Waianae homeless shelter temporarily suspends ED

The board of a state-supported Waianae homeless shelter temporarily removed the executive director after a state review of its operation. The Rev. Wade "Boo" Soares was put on administrative leave in April by Kahikolu Ohana Hale o Waianae, a $16 million, 72-unit complex, which opened in August, after Soares led the faith-based initiative that created the shelter.

State Comptroller Russ Saito, state homeless solutions coordinator, told news media that the Hawaii Coalition of Christian Churches board was informed by the state on April 1 that administrative, fiscal and case management standards set in its contract with the state were not being met.

Saito said the state is investigating multiple allegations about the operation, including complaints from former tenants and social workers that Soares imposed his Christian faith on residents and in decision-making about who will be accepted as tenants.

Soares said he has proof that refutes every claim -- even letters from complainants who say their statements were taken out of context. He said mistakes can be corrected and that his methods have gotten results, such as 160 people living in transitional, affordable rentals and dozens receiving help getting jobs.

Pastor of the 120-member Powerhouse church, Soares began five years ago to organize the efforts of several churches and other agencies helping homeless people on the Leeward Coast. When it was opened in August, other community members credited him with being the leader of the project. The shelter was built with $13.5 million in state grants and $3 million from the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation.

Soares told the Honolulu Star-Bulletin he will be back in two months. He said that "adjustments have been made in the intake process; it's slower" in response to the state compliance review. The facility currently has about a 60 percent occupancy rate, he said.

"I don't want to comment on the allegations and the negativity," said the pastor. "We measure success by the people we are serving. Lives are being changed, residents are going forward."