A group of church members, care providers and homeless people begin a 10-day walk around O'ahu this morning for Homeless Awareness Week.

The effort is called "Walk the Talk — Shelter for the People" and is led by the charity H-5 — Hawai'i Helping the Hungry Have Hope, a faith-based group that serves hot meals year-round to the homeless from Wai'anae to Waimanalo.

At about 8 a.m., the walkers will leave the First United Methodist Church at Beretania and Victoria streets near Thomas Square, proceed down Kalakaua Avenue through Waikiki and stop at Calvary By The Sea Lutheran Church, where they will spend their first night.

H-5 founder Utu Langi said the walk is intended to raise awareness about the plight of homeless people on the island.

Langi said as many as 300 people are expected to join segments of the trek, which will end on Nov. 18 at the Hawai'i Capitol with a candlelight vigil.

"Several places are going to host us in the evenings and provide dinner," Langi said. "Every evening we will have music and storytelling, eat and mingle. It's going to be cool."

For more information or to donate, call 522-9565.