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  • Re: Homeless solutions

    The Iwilei encampment was cleared today. I took some video:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6xLWa9DN-g

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    • Re: Homeless solutions

      Thanx for putting a face on it.
      I'll bet the walkway remained unsuitable for standard use after the barrier tape was removed, with safe passage still lacking despite the tons of debris removed while awaiting the immediate return of the denizen's and their obstructions. It's this exact crowd that you will always be chasing away yet won't be going away, they are part of the hard core resistance to any shelter's rules andconformations or long term housing, and even my very doable ideas won't include the majority of these troublemakers. They ain't going anywhere except in a vicious cycle that will forever plague the communities, that's what we get for ignoring the gutter problems for so many decades.
      https://www.facebook.com/Bobby-Ingan...5875444640256/

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      • Re: Homeless solutions

        5 murders of innocent homeless Oahu street people in the last 6 mos., most accosted while sleeping. Yet Aberdumbie and Coldwell are silent and all our homeless Czar can muster is 'it's bad out there'? And the State's only focus is the marginal success potential of their 'housing first' initiative? These victim's blood is on the hands of all who have more than a voice to get something done yet piss in the wind instead of actually solving the problems to any real degree. How many more need to be killed before they stop stonewalling?
        https://www.facebook.com/Bobby-Ingan...5875444640256/

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        • Re: Homeless solutions

          Yesterday's SA ran a front page article about Waikiki's homeless and panhandling problems http://www.staradvertiser.com/s?acti...y&id=241053471
          It accurately portrayed some sidewalk ensconced vagrants pictured on the cover as incredibly stupid and in denial. They've all been around a long time and always seen in the same sad conditions. 3 beggar guys sat in obvious bad health and equally obvious that two were alcoholics with a third konked out with a very nasty leg infection. The 4th was a woman with her equally homeless dog, and the prerequisite cigarette, who did most of the talking and crying that "It's horrible, we see rich people, really fat ones walk by with pizza and they won't even give us a piece. People walk by and look at us like we are disgusting when they don't know anything about us. We're not hurting anyone. We're just sitting here".
          No joke! The photo was indeed disgusting, and typical, you see the same thing all over Honolulu. But Waikiki tourism is becoming a 5 alarm disaster warning only because of $$$, not because of humanity or a desire to solve the problems any. The article also quoted Waikiki HPD Maj. Okimoto as saying "The generosity of the tourists bring them down as opposed to going to Kaimuki or Waialae-Kahala" Well, we know there's no panhandling or even any homeless ever seen in the Kahala area because cops hustle them out immediately and make sure they know not to come back.
          Another discrepancy in upholding laws is the recent removal of all the shanties on Iwilei Rd. mentioned previously and pictured by Ryan, and they've not been allowed to come back. Why? Maybe because the newly finished high scale retirement apts. across the steet are ready to be sold and having a local version of Tijuana's old Cartonia right at their doorstep wouldn't go so well? It's the same all over, squatters stay en mass for months and then get chased out, only to come right back with no problems for more months. It's either illegal or not. Why is it selective enforcement? Why are HPD not doing their job enforcing laws any time they see laws being broken? Nothing new there, but it's total BS whenever it happens.
          Maj. Okimoto also blamed the ACLU for the problems. Sweet.

          In today's SA op-ed's Terry Joiner from Waialae-Kahala had a more sensitive question, that since the highly paid political big wigs havn't come up with jack, "Has anyone ever put together a committee of homeless people from the various groups identified and asked them how best to resolve it?" I kind of doubt that ever crossed most of their bloated minds.

          Aberdopy's homeless Czar's Housing First plan, the only thing they had, has been stalled by sales of various properties, so now that's out. Just great.

          Also in yesterday's SA Our View commentary http://www.staradvertiser.com/s?acti...y&id=241052081 they decried the lack of movement by State officials despite the many emergency issues and laid out ideas that could help, but boosting funding to IHS isn't the best thot. Instead, a serious audit and investigation of that institution should be done immediately, it's loooong overdue. Other mentions were to further aid to veterans, and provide more shelters for those not accommodated by the few available. Then, once there's ample legitimate shelter is available they want HPD to enforce the laws. People seem to forget, or never know, that the only two shelters for single men on Oahu require monthly rent to live in their hell holes.
          Last edited by Ron Whitfield; January 20, 2014, 11:49 AM.
          https://www.facebook.com/Bobby-Ingan...5875444640256/

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          • Re: Homeless solutions

            It's unbelievable what some people write into the paper concerning the homeless problem.
            Richard Fucik of Ala Moana doesn't want the minimum wage upped because amongst other reasons it'll raise the unemployment rate and send jobs overseas, but suggests we "create many affordable 'transition' jobs, even if they are below minimum wage, the homeless would have a chance to get back on their feet".

            Michael O'Hara of Kaneohe is another who wants to herd the unwashed masses and others off to Sand Island and into "free-form tent camping".

            The simple answer to the majority of the issues is housing. Minimal, secure, private, housing. Nobody is going to get back on their feet living in a tent or being used as work fodder.
            But it's obvious those in charge are not interested in solving the problem a bit, and too many of the public just can't grasp the realities of the situation.
            https://www.facebook.com/Bobby-Ingan...5875444640256/

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            • Re: Homeless solutions

              Honolulu especially is becoming a powder keg of increasing hostilities and unless 'the powers' do something sensible about the homeless, housing, and economic situations it's going to soon explode in rampant violence due to more people, many of them total losers of myriad reasons, being increasingly tossed out of their fragile home situations and into the streets where they go directly to the bottom and seek the easiest ways to survive. And when it get's worse for them their frustrations lead to outbursts against people and property. They're often desperate and falsely proud, too shamed to admit they suck and are going to turn a festering problem into much worse and we've seen the evidence mount as street altercations, assaults, and murders become regular. We've long had punks cruise the streets, breaking store windows, spraying graffiti, looking for trouble and victims, but now it's spilling over and nobody is even thinking about it because most of those who can do anything don't face those problems like the regular middle or lower classes do. It's ugly out there and getting worse fast, you only hear about a fraction of the cases.
              HPD need to increase their numbers and get out on foot patrol regularly and mostly at night instead of merely riding in cars or the occasional mass downtown ticketing exercises.

              Our neglectful politico's, our stingy corporate moneybags, our decidedly helpless community leaders, and a suddenly enraged financially better off public, are every bit responsible for these problems if only by ignoring them or embracing blatantly misguided policies and now want to cry about what they let get out of control when it could have been maintained at low levels if not in fact eliminated the majority just with some caring thot. But NO! They simply don't want to do the basic things that are needed to ensure a strong society, even when things get this bad, or worse.

              http://www.staradvertiser.com/s?action=login&f=y
              This Sunday's SA ran another "Housing comes first" article which revolves the same old hackneyed and grossly limited proposals that will and have had minimal to zero success. The housing first debacle is now on hold due to City bungling of recent big $$$ deals that fell thru, so even that is out. Yet they still ignore the truer and most cost efficient ways to address the issues and pretend to give a rat's ass with temporary housing and such, which while these can have some positives it's simply not going to do that much when dealing with primarily the worst case individuals. Most of those people will not benefit by the current poor ideas in the long run, it's futile, but that's the bandage approach that the officials love because they have to say something, anything, to make it look like they're doing something/anything. But it's all BS. Temporary housing may be suitable especially for families but it's just an avenue to the numbingly impossible rat race that will sooner or later stifle almost all re-entries. And forcing enrollees to submit their meager paychecks to others to decide where and how it's spent is a non-starter for most. The latest "goal' by the Hawaii Pathways Project, which won't even come up in a search, is to get a whopping 120 of the worst cases into permanent housing with medical attention and social services is more crap that will have minimal benefit to anyone. The worst will mostly always be where they are because in their minds they are where they want to be and want ultimately to be left to their own demise. That the chronic Oahu homeless population is numbered at under 700 is absurd, and the overall homeless population at under 5000 is again way off mark. The majority of homeless aren't countable, therefore aren't counted, and most don't want to be counted.

              On Feb. 12, 12:30pm @ Community Meeting Room of the Community Development Authority, 461 Cooke St., Pathways To Housing's http://pathwaystohousing.org/ founder, Sam Tsemeris will speak and the public is able to attend. This organization is credited with great successes in ending homelessness in the nation by largely using methods that I've decried. Homeless Czar, Colin Kippen will probably be there as well. We'll see what Mr. Tsemeris has to say and if public statements/questioning will be allowed.
              Last edited by Ron Whitfield; February 3, 2014, 12:41 PM.
              https://www.facebook.com/Bobby-Ingan...5875444640256/

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              • Re: Homeless solutions

                An op-ed in today's SA by Kahului's Mark Saxon reminds us that "Back in May 2011, Gov. Abercrombie announced his 90-day plan to end homelessness in Hawaii."
                He keenly adds; Astute observers noted that the timetable of this plan coincided with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference, when Pres. Obama/other leaders would be in town. This, Gov. Neil noted was a "happy coincidence".
                Now with a budget surplus of 800.5 mil maybe a 'happy coincidence' something could be done to eliminate homelessness in Hawaii, and if not give that money back to the citizens that earned it.

                A fraction of that much would cover the majority of needs if used wisely.
                https://www.facebook.com/Bobby-Ingan...5875444640256/

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                • Re: Homeless solutions

                  Sunday's SA ran a piece saying how "Islanders Perceive homelessness worsening". http://www.staradvertiser.com/s?acti...1&id=245928551

                  Of course it's worsening and will be getting much worse, but the perception is obscured by the fact that many long term homeless have had their nite time place of repose options steadily eliminated and are increasingly seen on the streets now simply because they cannot hide out any more.
                  Like Denise Mazzanti of Hawaii Kai say's about how our politicians are making unwise decisions, "It's a sin, our Gmt. can throw billions at a wasteful rail system, but it cannot put up affordable housing." Nor will they do anything basic and humane to benefit their own communities against the civic blight.

                  Here's examples of shipping container homes that have been available nationwide for decades, at least 750,000 are sitting idle currently in the US, enuf to house virtually all the 2 million who are without. And it's the same wasted opportunities seen in city after city and countless disaster areas that still suffer after years and billions spent for zip. At this stage whole towns need to be built up to get anywhere near solving the problem. http://www.berkeleyside.com/2013/11/...d-to-berkeley/
                  https://www.facebook.com/Bobby-Ingan...5875444640256/

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                  • From the 'as if it didn't suck enuf' Dept.

                    Today a typical taxpaying friend tells me of his unfortunate circumstances last nite having suddenly found himself on the streets late at nite and in need of emergency shelter only to be denied entry at IHS (Institute For Human Services, what a sick joke!) just before their curfew of 10pm. They told him he needed to register first and pony up $90 for even 1 minute, as they don't do one niters, so he was on his own and out of luck on a rainy nite. This is absolutely UNACCEPTABLE, especially as he clearly saw tons of space available on the main floor where he said not even half of the space had people matted out for the nite. Tons of space and no refuge from the storm for my friend and whomever else has discovered this pathetic truth.
                    For years we've heard of how grand IHS is in their efforts to help the homeless and videos of great meals served (both of which no doubt do ocassionally happen) and such, meanwhile the State is haranguing everybody they can that actually do help people in parks or stress sites without asking questions or requiring anything and trying to force everything thru IHS who get's tons of State/taxpayer $$$ and $12.50 for every (supposedly) SQUARE MEAL served, probably a thousand a day. The uninformed public constantly decries the visual human blight with exclamations of how those on the streets often just won't go to the shelters provided, well now we know that they can't unless they got $90 first and foremost, or I think $60 at the Kakaako shelter, and that one you need way more time to even qualify.
                    Somebody needs to investigate this total BS and get to the bottom of why the powers are in cahoots with IHS to scam the public and provide a major disservice to the community, to say the very least. Meanwhile they go on about how the new millions are going towards only helping 120 of the worst cases out there instead of doing anything that actually makes a difference.
                    Those that are in charge of doing, are doing nothing but scamming the community. Beyond pathetic!
                    https://www.facebook.com/Bobby-Ingan...5875444640256/

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                    • Re: Homeless solutions

                      To see for myself, I repeated my friend's attempt at no cost emergency homeless shelter last nite at IHS and it was identical to what he experienced as I stated previously, but I had a comfortable evening to fall back on, of which he now doesn't, nor do any of the many others that desperately need it.
                      These lying ripoff assholes need to go!
                      https://www.facebook.com/Bobby-Ingan...5875444640256/

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                      • Re: Homeless solutions

                        We have heartless morons for political leaders.
                        A million dollars will go into trashing personal possessions The City deem fit to confiscate ala misdirected actions against the homeless instead of using the money and workforce to accomplish these current goals and much more that would actually benefit the communities to a great degree. But no, just be cruel and stupidly wasteful while falsely stating it's all about keeping the sidewalks clear for pedestrians when of course there are plenty of heavily blocked sidewalks well known to HPD and constantly ignored. In fact, The City's own planters around Thomas Square violate the disabilities
                        laws. http://www.staradvertiser.com/s?acti...y&id=250585551
                        The pathways of China/downtown and Honolulu in total are filthy, flat out disgusting trashways of nasty (and criminal activity) that should be cleaned nightly (where needed), this would keep street level encroachers from settling in for long and keep them and window bashers moving along as well as making the environment clean, safer, and welcoming for the rest of us to start every day instead of endless human crap and destruction.

                        And in another poor State move said to be aimed at helping shelters feed the homeless, an emergency exemption the Lingle administration issued in 2007 allowing groups to prepare food for the needy without having to do it in state-certified kitchens will soon lapse and the Health Dept. says that regardless of (effectively) a 7 year study which showed not a single case noted of any health problems they will insist on restricting cooked foods to only those prepared in certified kitchens. State Health head Peter Oshiro claims that while the groups can still provide food it will only be such as canned food, saimin, hot dogs/sandwiches, salads, and incredulously insists that "You can make a very nutritious meal with minimal facilities". This is just another needless exercise in harassing those that want to help OUTSIDE of State preferences and force everything thru a few suspicious agencies that can't or won't do the jobs needed in proper fashion instead of doing things that might actually help. http://www.staradvertiser.com/s?acti...y&id=250585521
                        Oshiro states that the dept. rules allow the waiving of permits for exactly those in their gun sights, so why bother making tougher rules then? Let's see how many they grant...
                        Homeless Czar Colin Kippen said he would be monitoring the regulations as to how they impact the homeless. Really? How? Who's he gonna put in charge of all that and at what costs?
                        Last edited by Ron Whitfield; March 17, 2014, 01:35 PM.
                        https://www.facebook.com/Bobby-Ingan...5875444640256/

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                        • Re: Homeless solutions

                          Another episode from the political officials doing nothing and making things worse Dept. http://www.staradvertiser.com/s?acti...y&id=253166591
                          Korean community groups and residents of Pawaa Park are upset at the residing homeless population there and how they and others use the sculpture placements as toilets.
                          Well, if they are allowed to camp there or even expect people to enjoy the park yet nobody provides even portable facilities, what do you expect? Besides, it was a homeless haven before they started erecting all the ugly art works, at least now we know who is responsible for these things.
                          Politicos have largely caused and acerbated the street life problem and always turn a blind eye while only excellerating mean and unjust measures to harass them instead of doing even the most manini things that could improve matters. Housing First is their only big deal and it'll prove a too small scale yet wasted mega-bux failure for many obvious reasons.
                          Nearby resident, Rex Kim says he doesn't want to walk his daughter thru the park and that "The park is for everybody in the community, it's not right for a few people to hijack our public parks. It just kind of burns me. There are many services available, so I don't understand why they need to do that".
                          Mr. Kim is part of the problem, in that he is typically mad and (like many people) ignorant of facts and how the bums do not have free emergency shelter and significant services that will allow them a chance of getting out of the park that he thinks doesn't include the current portion of the community he dislikes to enjoy. The parks are indeed for everybody, even those you don't like. And of course the newspaper doesn't say anything about these facts and issues, just let's the foolish negativity go on.
                          https://www.facebook.com/Bobby-Ingan...5875444640256/

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                          • Re: Homeless solutions

                            http://www.staradvertiser.com/s?action=login&f=y
                            The faces of two un-ID'd homeless men that recently died of natural causes in public are on the SA's front page http://www.staradvertiser.com/s?action=login&f=y
                            I think I've seen them both over the years, how many others just slink off like cats when it's the end and are never known in later life or in death?
                            We really suck as a society.
                            https://www.facebook.com/Bobby-Ingan...5875444640256/

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                            • Re: Homeless solutions

                              As if it needs to get worse? http://www.staradvertiser.com/s?acti...1&id=254311021
                              The SA editorial staff is part of the problem when it can't help but perpetuate serious falsehoods and ill advise their readers about the homeless and issues regarding them. They said today;
                              "Let's be blunt. Honolulu is not the city it once was. Neighborhoods are dotted with homeless encampments, from Waikiki to Kakaako, Moiliili to Iwilei with belongings crowding public parks or sidewalks. It's no way to live, yet there are thousands of people on Oahu living that way despite the availability of space in various homeless shelters and spending $22 million for Housing First solutions."

                              I take great issue with two points already. Downtown and surrounding areas of Honolulu used to have 'tin can alley' residential space accommodating no and low income inhabitants, but developers and rogue political friends were often able to wrangle past a largely indifferent public and cite the area as sub-standard and got all but the core of Chinatown redeveloped with highrises and higher rents without providing for those displaced. Coupled with Reagan tossing the mentally handicapped out on the streets it co-developed a society that fell thru the cracks and increasingly had no place to go.
                              Another major but poorly reported matter is that even those that want to get off the streets during storming or emergency situations are not allowed drop-in entry to the one homeless shelter on Oahu, the Institute For Human Services, unless paying $90 up front for even just one night. No free emergency shelter available, period. Yet the SA constantly prints and generally misconveys that there are no-costs/strings attached shelter and services available but those on the street simply won't take advantage. Not to mention the thousands homeless everywhere on Oahu, but shelters are only located in Honolulu and some West sides to accommodate.

                              The editors then continue the assault with "We as a community need to galvanize a commitment to enforcement that will firmly prod the chronically homeless into such housing by making the streets much less of an option".
                              Who the hell are they to even suggest prodding of any citizen on the mere basis of not preferring an individual's existence? And to compound the audacity with atrociously herding people into concentration camp-styled dwellings against their will, no matter how ill-equipped, unsanitary, unsafe, or insufficient the oversight and management of such shelter is as evidenced at IHS? This is absolutely unacceptable BS. People are on the streets because of beaurocratic mishandlings and now those same kind look to blame and abuse those they've hurt the most from the start.
                              Last edited by Ron Whitfield; April 8, 2014, 11:54 AM.
                              https://www.facebook.com/Bobby-Ingan...5875444640256/

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                              • Re: Homeless solutions

                                Damn, if things weren't stupid enuf, now comes the news that IHS is requiring those that merely want a meal (with the fucking State full court pressing feeding options elsewhere to cease in order to specifically force everything/everybody thru IHS' doors when they don't have food enuf for those already showing up because they systemically steal the tons of great donated food) must register with photograph taken and are not allowed to even bring their backpacks to meals. This essentially eliminates this pitiful ditch from consideration for a major percentage of needy people that are already struggling for food everywhere on Oahu. It really doesn't get much lower than refusing hungry people food and shelter, but that's where we're at with this inhumane admin. and it's crony cohorts IHS and the Health Dept.
                                With this and the fact that IHS won't take anybody in for just one nite no matter the emergency unless they pony up $90 first, means IHS is getting plenty of all our tax dollars and not doing squat to help the problems everybody is facing. They need to be thoroughly investigated and if found worthless (at best) to have those culpable removed/charged and replaced with proper management and accountability assured. This whole thing is beyond absurd and totally bogus, these people are messed up and many need to go, starting with Neil and his Czar.
                                Last edited by Ron Whitfield; April 16, 2014, 03:09 PM.
                                https://www.facebook.com/Bobby-Ingan...5875444640256/

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