HONOLULU -- Students at the University of Hawaii's medical school are trying to open a free medical clinic in Kakaako, just yards away from a new homeless shelter set up by the state.

Students at the UH Medical School said they had been working on a plan to help the homeless at Ala Moana Beach Park, where about 200 homeless were kicked out. They considered starting with tents and progressing to a mobile clinic to offer services to those in need across the community.

Noi Rellin is recovering from gallstone surgery in her van. It's a situation far from ideal.

Under a plan hatched by the UH Medical School, she could take advantage of a free clinic that is expected to get under way soon.

First-year medical students kicked off a bake sale on Friday. It is the start of a fundraiser for seed money to buy medical supplies. In turn, the students get credit for a required community care course.

"We were one of the first medical schools in the country to include this as a part of the medical school curriculum," UH Medical School Dean Sam Shomaker said.

The curriculum is called Project Home.

"So, you get not only get medical services, but also the opportunity to train medical students as they go through the years to provide homeless care," student Carrie Marshall said.

Once the clinic is up and running, the medical students won't have far to go because the emergency shelter is just a short walk away from the school. The plan calls for third- and fourth-year students to help staff the clinic.

Homeless families with whom KITV spoke with think the project is a good idea.

The medical students never thought the homeless would be brought even closer to their doorstep. Organizers plan a walk-through of the homeless shelter next week.