Safe Place is a national youth outreach and prevention program for young people under the age of 18 in need of immediate help and safety. As a collaborative community prevention initiative, Safe Place designates businesses and organizations as Safe Place locations, making help readily available to youth in communities across the country. In Hawaiʻi County, Safe Place locations include the Salvation Army, Central Fire Station and Hele-On buses.

Hele-On is proud to support our community and youth by partnering with National Safe Place to designate all Hele-On buses and Mass Transit Agency facilities as safe places for youth in crisis.

What is Safe Place?

Safe Place is a national youth outreach program designed to provide immediate help and safety for teen ages 12-17 who are in crisis. The program is managed locally by the County of Hawaiʻi Mass Transit Agency. Teens can go to any Hele-On bus or Mass Transit Agency facilities or The Salvation Army and immediately get in contact with a crisis responder. They will be connected with local law enforcement whom will transported to them to a safe location where they have access to shelter, counseling and family reunification services.

Hele-On Bus

All Hele-On buses, which serve 24 routes across 4,200 square miles, serve as Safe Place locations. Teens in crisis can request Safe Place assistance on board any bus by notifying the driver.

Additionally, the following Mass Transit Agency locations are Safe Places:

• County of Hawaiʻi Mass Transit Agency, 2299 Hoʻolaulima Road, Hilo, HI 96720
• 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Bldg B, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
• 329 Kamehameha Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720

Are There Other Safe Place Locations?

Yes. There are stationary Safe Place locations across the Island at Hawaiʻi Fire Department stations, Hawaiʻi Police Department stations and the Salvation Army.

Safe Place is a Text Away

Text 4 Help
If you are unable to access a Safe Place program or site, TXT 4 HELP is available. TXT 4 HELP is a national texting initiative that makes help available to youth wherever they are, whenever they need it. Learn more about TXT 4 HELP.