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The Hawaii Police Department invites the public to attend a community meeting to discuss a temporary morgue facility in Hilo from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, March 3, at the Aupuni Center Conference Room, 101 Pauahi Street in Hilo.

The meeting is part of the county’s ongoing efforts to address overcrowded morgue facilities at the Hilo Benioff Medical Center and Kona Community Hospital.

According to state law, the police chief is the coroner for the county, and the police department has the responsibility to collect and transport bodies involved in coroner’s inquests and criminal investigations to a secure location until a mortuary is able to collect them.

In the past, the department has relied on morgue facilities at the two hospitals. However, both facilities are facing overcapacity issues. For several months, the police department and other county agencies have been working together to chart a long-term solution of building a permanent morgue facility on island while simultaneously creating a temporary facility at 540 Kupuna Place in Hilo.

Monday’s public meeting will feature speakers from various county departments, including HPD and Public Works.