In following the recent debates for Honolulu mayor, I have been disappointed that the rail issue dominates these forums and so little attention is given to Hawaii’s homeless kamaaina.
Treating them as "eyesores" rather than human beings has propelled me out of my political apathy toward this election.
I am fortunate to be a homeowner, thanks to financial help from my parents. I am blessed to work in Kakaako, where I pass by many homeless families as I walk from my car to my office. I have lost my keys on the street, and they have stopped to help me find it.
During my pregnancies, they saw me hobbling to work; years later they ask me how my children are doing. I am greeted with "good morning" at least three times before I enter the building. Nowhere else do I receive this much aloha.
Many prominent leaders have stated that the greatness of a society can be judged by how we treat our least fortunate. Which mayoral candidates embody that philosophy?
Kirk Caldwell seems to carry significant passion and commitment to action. During his short time as acting mayor, he stepped out of Mufi Hannemann’s shadow to refute homelessness as a "state" issue. He helped to clean beaches on the Waianae Coast and proposed initiatives to set up tent sites for the homeless to gather safely.
However, Caldwell also worked with Councilwoman Tulsi Gabbard to pass Bill 54, prohibiting tents on sidewalks (echoing his earlier works to prohibit tents in city parks). City sweeps began, whereby city employees tagged, removed, stored and sometimes illegally destroyed what very few possessions the homeless owned. Countless overtime hours and taxpayer dollars later, the city is left outsmarted and the homeless population remains unchanged.
Why the glaring contradiction? Why advocate help and compassion only to oppress further?
As confusing as Caldwell’s actions may seem, his intentions remain clearer than Mayor Peter Carlisle’s. Several initiatives have been launched under his administration, such as the Office of Housing and the Pathways Project, for which both Carlisle and Caldwell take credit. Yet Carlisle has been quoted as comparing rat infestations and homeless cleanups, as well as declaring the homeless as being his biggest problem when his administration was planning for APEC.
Ben Cayetano’s record on homelessness is almost nonexistent beyond the political rhetoric provided to the media. He should tell us where he stands on this issue and what he would do to solve it.
I do not have a clear solution to help our neighbors who are homeless. My hope in speaking out is that in these weeks before this primary election, we continue to demand answers of the mayoral candidates.
What will each of them do to help? Where do they prioritize our neighbors who are homeless?
Homelessness is not an issue to sweep aside, hidden from public view in an isolated designated encampment because the privileged are uncomfortable and find them to be an eyesore.
We need to be reminded every day that poverty is alive and well in Hawaii and as Caldwell states, "is everybody’s problem." Compassion, kindness and aloha must be our attitude.
Most of us living here are just a few paychecks away from being homeless ourselves.
A few days after I began writing this commentary, news came that my job will end this year. Homelessness could become the reality of my own family, as it could for any of us.
Let’s hear from the candidates clearly and concretely: If elected, what will they do to successfully resolve this problem?
