Children perform for members of the Royal Order of Kamehameha at the homeless shelter. Jeff Widener | The Honolulu Advertiser

The celebration, which is open to the public, features entertainment, music, food, arts and crafts booths operated by shelter residents and volunteers.

The ho'olaule'a will continue until 6 tonight.

The grassroots event, which is open to the public, was organized by the residents of the shelter as a way of saying thanks to the community for its understanding and efforts on behalf of the coast's homeless population, which is the largest in the state.

"We wanted to show our deepest appreciation to the residents of the Wai'anae Coast for being so understanding," said shelter resident and organizer Alice Greenwood. "They have put up with us living on their beaches, and now having us in the middle of their backyard.