I read it in West Hawaii Today a few times now. The Jan. 2 edition reported the notable effort of Dr. Clifford Kopp by walking 240 miles around the Big Island, from Dec. 24 to Jan. 1, in order to draw attention to the homeless people here in the Big Island. He sacrificed the comfort of his bed and time to be with family and/or friends during Christmas in order to do it.
On Jan. 23, WHT reported that the County Council approves $650,000 for homeless housing in Kailua-Kona. Then on today’s paper, Jan, 26, it was reported that Gov. Ige stated in his State of the State address that homelessness is one of his top priority this year.
While all the above are notable and well-intended efforts, I think that they will not be enough to solve the homelessness problem.
Homelessness, to my opinion, is a chosen lifestyle. Seemingly healthy and able bodied folks who I assume to be homeless are all around downtown and surrounding areas. They are hard to miss. They are seen sitting along downtown sidewalks. They have makeshift camps all along Alii Drive. They also camp along Highway 11 between Nani Kailua and Henry streets. I even saw a couple, a man and a woman, camped inside one of the culverts in between these two streets while picking up trash with the American Legion on Saturday morning, Jan. 16.
No amount of government housing expenses or assistance will eliminate homelessness if people don’t take advantage of them or take the initiative to help themselves. The homeless should be encouraged to take responsibility upon themselves and put in efforts equal to that demonstrated by Dr. Kopp in order to help themselves get out of their situation.
There is no shame in taking a job from any of the fast-food establishments around town. The resorts and hotels are always in need of extra help. Coffee farmers are always looking for pickers. A minimum pay should be enough to get a room to rent. WHT runs rooms for rent ads for $450 to $550 almost every day. If one job is not enough or a larger accommodation such as a house is desired, taking on two or even three jobs in order to be able to pay for it is a respectable thing to do.
There comes a point in time where homeless assistance received and the benefit derived from it will meet. Beyond this point, the money spent will be a waste and the recipient will lose initiative to help themselves. That is because help is always there.
Combatting homelessness is not a one-way street coming only from the government and other well intentioned individuals or groups. The homeless should make every effort to help themselves out of it as well.
Nestorio Domingo is a Kailua-Kona resident
My Turn opinions are those of the writer and not of West Hawaii Today.