Homeless solutions

[Ron Whitfield]

Re: Homeless solutions

Well, we're movin' on... over there!
Since the invasion of City planter boxes on Beretania at Thomas Square to displace the homeless campers, they've multiplied and many somehow managed to find their way directly over to King St., right where the squatters had moved. AMAZING! So, deOccupy and Co. crossed to front Blaisdell Concert Hall for a week and then around the corner onto Piikoi. In the next exciting episode, can The City meanies keep up with these few remaining derelict's evasion of exclusion? Stay tuned!

[Ron Whitfield]

Re: Homeless solutions

Tent cities are the bottom of the barrel for workable solutions, they are not what I'd say a civilized/progressive community should be OK with and don't provide a situation for anybody to improve their sorry situation, we need to do better. Besides, they are doomed from the start as most street people can't/won't police themselves let alone anything beyond that. For some it can work to a base degree as seen re Cedar Church in Kalihi but that's a small group that can be fairly easily controlled, overall it's impossible to maintain order unless security is very strict. Plus, for many out in the country, rural areas work because most folk group together to provide basic needs, for many they don't do well around others and usually the Chinatown area is the only place they can survive. Most homeless will be able to travel yet refuse to be stuck out in the boonies when they have to constantly travel for free meals and such. The problem is too huge for anything but real ideas to work well and whatever suitable is done we will see an entire city made up of homeless ready to take advantage, thousands of people, that's what has been created by ignoring the problem for decades.

I see some Thomas Square area tents have migrated onto sidewalk space along King St. fronting Blaisdell Concert Hall, now both sides of King St. at that point have become a rouge tent city gauntlet which traffic constantly passes thru. Seems the nastier The City gets about this the more frustrated they're bound to become playing whack-a-mole, good for them. If it weren't such a serious propblem it'd be hillarious watching these fools futilly thrash around trying to placate selfish crybabies instead of actually solving the issues to any degree.

[Kaonohi]

Re: Homeless solutions

I suggest you omit "quite successfully". The history of the Gypsies has been one of discrimination and persecution. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History..._Romani_people.

You mean like we discriminate and persecute the Honolulu Homeless? Well, we are more... gentle.

Good point. And thanks for the reference to Roma history.

Let me substitute "relatively successful," as the alternative was death for Roma.

[GregLee]

Re: Homeless solutions

Gypsies lived in caravans and tents across Europe in the earlier years, quite successfully.

I suggest you omit "quite successfully". The history of the Gypsies has been one of discrimination and persecution. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History..._Romani_people.

[Kaonohi]

Re: Homeless solutions

I still think that an area set aside for the homeless tents is a good idea.

I remember the homeless tent cities along the Leeward side some 10 years ago; people policed their own area, made their own rules, caused no or little trouble and the city still kicked them out, so they landed in town.

I am certain that there is a rural area along a busline, out of the way of tourists and 'gentry' that can make a quiet, clean, area for those less fortunate than us to create their tent homes, establish security and regulate interactions to their satisfaction.

I had a man squatting on my property for about 6 months last year. We tried to help him find alternate shelter, but the "lockers for personal gear," and the 'rules and regs' were more than he could tolerate. We gave him a deadline, and he almost made it. He still has my $200 tent, somewhere on the North Shore, on a farm, that he promises to return 'as soon as it's clean.' Like I care. I wish him well. He was (is) good people in a difficult situation.

In He`eia is an immense tract of land allegedly used for cattle farming, between Kahekili and Kam Highway. I'm certain they have an acre unused to set aside for the homeless. In fact there are SO MANY unused acres on Oahu that could be used for the homeless, if people would just open their aloha.

Give them a spot - let them live on their own terms - don't interfere - help as requested, and as is possible. How hard can it be?

Gypsies lived in caravans and tents across Europe in the earlier years, quite successfully. Maybe we need our new brand of Hawaiian Gypsies (Hypsies?) to solve their own problems if we just let them, and we get out of the way.

Perhaps I need to send this to the Honolulu Weekly....

(I hereby give permission for the reprinting of the above in any publication. If you need my particulars, just ask.)