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Check Out Final Issue of Vol. 57 and This Years 1st Semester Issue!
Homelessness in Hawaii has been a problem ever since it’s been a state, with one of the highest per capita homeless populations in the United States right next to california. According to the latest statistics available from the Hawaii State Department of Human Services, there were over 6,400 homeless individuals in Hawaii as of January 2021 which is .5% of the population. Several factors contribute to the homelessness crisis in Hawaii, including a high cost of living, limited affordable housing options, and a shortage of mental health and addiction treatment services. Many tourists come to Hawaii to escape their homelessness, just to be met with the same problem. The state and local governments have implemented programs to address homelessness in Hawaii. These include providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, and supportive services such as job training and healthcare. However, the problem remains complex and persistent, requiring continued attention and resources to make progress towards a solution.
Ke Ali’i interviewed two interviewees from Waianae, the city where the homeless population is at its highest. The first interviewee is Chloe Costa who lives in Waianae Valley, she states that “everyday [she] drives in and out of Waianae and the streets and beaches are just filled with homeless people”. The second interviewee, Shysen Lopes says “everywhere you go in Waianae you see the problem and it's heartbreaking because it is the place [he] grew up in”. Everywhere you turn in Waianae it's a problem.
Waianae, located on the western coast of Oahu, has a high concentration of homeless individuals compared to other areas on the island. Efforts to address homelessness in Waianae involve a combination of government initiatives, nonprofit organizations, community involvement, and support services. Local and state government agencies work with service providers and community organizations to provide outreach, emergency shelter, and transitional housing options. They also offer support for mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, and employment assistance to help individuals regain stability. Nonprofit organizations play a crucial role in providing resources and services to the homeless population in Waianae. They offer food assistance, medical care, hygiene services, and case management to help individuals access housing, employment, and healthcare. One of those nonprofit organizations is Puʻuhonua O Waiʻanae. This organization builds houses for homeless people in Waianae. ⅔ of the 250 people living unhoused are Native Hawaiians. Chloe Costa shares her experience saying “Yes [she's] heard about Pu'uhonua o Waianae, they help many people in need of homes and they are a strong community that provides a system people need to get back on their feet “. This is a great example of who to donate to when thinking about different organizations that help.
Of those who are homeless on Oahu, about 60% are living on the streets. The first homeless point-in-time count conducted on Oahu since the pandemic began tells a complicated story, with homelessness down nearly 11% overall but up slightly among those living on the streets. Josh Green (Hawaii’s governor) has promised to prioritize the issue and included a request for more than $25 million to build housing and improve services. On the campaign trail, Green promised to reduce homelessness in the state by more than half in the next four years and “effectively eliminate” chronic homelessness by 2030.
We are not the governor. However, there are things that we can do in our everyday lives to move forward with solutions. We can start by just lending a hand. It is important to always lend a hand to people in need. You don’t see too many people in Waianae caring for the homeless but more need to. Educating yourself is the first and foremost thing you can do, when doing this, you can give yourself the necessary tools to help those who can not help themselves. This spread of information gives people a push to Hawaii’s residents to put it to use and help solve this ongoing problem.
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