KAHULUI – In its first month of operation, a bus converted into a police mobile unit has been used to distribute masks, administer COVID-19 vaccinations and set up mental health appointments for homeless people.

Plans are underway for the Mobile Medical Educational Unit to partner with other organizations to provide additional services, as the unit moves to the Salvation Army in Lahaina this month.

“It’s still in its infancy,” said Sgt. Jan Pontanilla, who heads the Maui Police Department’s Critical Outreach and Response through Education, or CORE program. “It’s going pretty well.”

The county Department of Transportation donated two 2007 El Dorado 40-foot buses, which were renovated to be used for the program. The buses, equipped with Wi-Fi and air conditioning, are divided into three sections – a triage area, a mental health area staffed by a social worker and a multipurpose room for health services.

The unit was put into operation April 26 and was parked outside the Salvation Army in Kahului on Monday mornings to offer mental health counseling and noncritical medical care, including wound care.

“The wound care is especially needed,” said Lt. Steven Howard, Maui County coordinator for the Salvation Army. “We do see a lot of the population who have wounds that are unattended. To have this here so they can quickly get it taken care of, or get information on how they can get further care, is a plus.”

He said another important service was access to a mental health case worker.

With windows darkened and doors closed for privacy in the middle portion of the bus, Mental Health Kokua homeless outreach worker Lori Naluai set up telehealth appointments with a psychologist for some clients.

A medic with Paradise Medical Services volunteered to do the wound care in an area outside the bus, and a doctor also has volunteered her services, Pontanilla said. She said police hope to work with other organizations to provide eye care, basic dental care and services for children.

“It’s our hope that through this community collaboration, we’re all in a better position,” acting Police Chief Dean Rickard said during a Maui Police Commission meeting last month.

In its first few weeks, the mobile unit distributed 49 face masks and provided COVID-19 vaccinations to 21 people, Rickard said.

He said the unit is working to reach “this neglected part of our community” that has faced additional hardship in the pandemic.

“This mobile unit will continue to positively serve our community,” Rickard said.

He said Pontanilla and Lt. Joy Medeiros came up with the idea for the unit a couple of years ago.

“This is a good turnout,” Gail Valoroso, a homeless outreach worker for CARE Hawaii, said while talking to people at the mobile unit May 14.

She was trying to identify people who weren’t in the Homeless Management Information System database so they could be signed up and linked to services.

“Sometimes it’s easier to come to places like this,” she said. “It’s rough for the ones that have mental illness. We need more services.”

* Lila Fujimoto can be reached at lfujimoto@mauinews.com.