The state is faced with an unusual, complex predicament at Puuhonua O Waianae Village, a homeless encampment that’s at least a decade old and situated just west of the Waianae Boat Harbor. Nearly 260 homeless people reside on the 19 acres of wooded, preservation-zoned state land where they have established a full-fledged community with rules and a power structure with captains who maintain order.
To further legitimize the village, Twinkle Borge, the group’s leader, is hoping to eventually secure a state lease. While a commitment from the state has not yet come, Borge has already garnered support in her pursuit from the neighborhood board; its chairman, Cedric Gates, said leasing the land would be a good short-term solution.
So far, however, there is not a strong or convincing enough argument for how a lease would be in the best interest of the state — and the public at large.
For now, the state has rightly decided against conducting a sweep of the homeless village since there are few alternatives for those who live there, including 15 families with children ranging from babies to high-schoolers.
Makeshift dwellings are covered with tarpaulins, a hose is used for showers and there is access to a public bathroom until 3 p.m.
Clearly, a better way of living is needed — and that will only come via a decisive, charted course that focuses on finding other accommodations, whether shelter space or rentals, for the homeless at Puuhonua O Waianae.
Gov. David Ige announced last week that he has extended an emergency proclamation made in October to Feb. 26 that gives the state and counties more flexibility in how they complete shelters, micro-housing and other projects to address homelessness.
Ige has talked previously about identifying more state lands for larger-scale emergency and affordable housing. Action on that talk is eagerly awaited.
MEANWHILE, the Waia-
nae site has turned into a
de facto “safe zone” — even though every effort should go toward getting people sheltered elsewhere and to phase out the encampment, not perpetuate and grow it.
This is particularly so since government here has not endorsed safe zones as a matter of policy.
Scott Morishige, the state’s homeless coordinator, says federal agencies focused on housing and homelessness generally do not support safe zones as a best practice, but is calling for further dialogue with the community. A spokeswoman for the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, which manages the boat harbor property, said the issue is under discussion and that DLNR is considering options.
Addressing homelessness along the Waianae Coast has been a challenge for decades. There are at least 16 homeless encampments in Waianae, according to an estimate from the office of state Rep. Andria Tupola (R, Kalaeloa-Ko Olina-Maili).
The city earlier this year proposed building modular housing for homeless families on a 1.1-acre site near Waianae High School, which was met with community resistance. Such unfortunate pushback against homes — in any neighborhood — cannot persist if Hawaii is serious about getting our people off the streets and out of parks.
THE 260 AT Puuhonua O Waianae are among an estimated 4,900 people now homeless on Oahu. Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s administration has pressed forward with several initiatives, including the purchase of two vacant Makiki school buildings that will eventually house homeless and low-income tenants.
Earlier this year, City Council Chairman Ernie Martin had asked each Council member to identify possible shelter locations in their districts. Now would be the time for these politicians to step forward with their sites, devise a strategy and lead on this issue.
So far, much of the focus has been on Kakaako, where homelessness is much more visible. Yet with 16 encampments in Waianae alone, more attention will need to be paid on the west side.
Puuhonua O Waianae translates to “Refuge of Waianae.” Refuge is defined as a condition of being safe or sheltered from trouble. However, there is nothing safe about families living unsheltered — no matter how organized the encampment. In order to provide a true refuge for the homeless on the Waianae Coast, it will take a concentrated and consistent effort by public officials and the greater community.
It’s called housing.
