Officially named Pai'olu Kaiaulu ("uplifted by a pleasant Wai'anae breeze"), the shelter currently houses about 65 individuals, many of whom are Hawaiian and part-Hawaiian and had previously been living at Ma'ili Beach Park.

Gov. Linda Lingle praised the efforts of the many government and private organizations and individuals who were able to make the state's first round-the-clock, emergency shelter a reality.

She introduced the Lee family -- a husband, wife and 2-year-old child -- and said they had been living on the beach and now have a chance to begin a better life at the shelter, which will assist homeless people in transitioning back into the social mainstream.