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https://vid.me/6YZ5
While this is all about Oahu, it still relates. Looks like much of it was filmed in the camps in Kaka'ako, Sand Island area (under the freeway), Chinatown, and that industrial area by the K-Mart on Oahu.
Policy of "compassionate disruption" vs "criminalizing homeless". Cycle of protecting the tourist industry, to protect jobs and tax base which keeps money to help homeless.
Eric1600, Mahalo for sharing this recent video.
Not really surprising that most homeless shown in this video were Hawaiian or local people. I find it very sad that Many Hawaiians today are having to learn how to live homeless in their own homeland.
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Agree. If we want to institute socialist practices, a topic discussed on another thread, a top priority should be rent subsidies to native Hawaiians and other local people.
And the challenge here is that we will need a residency requirement. Cannot just give rent money to new or recent arrivals from the Mainland (or elsewhere). Residency requirement--as in born and raised in Hawaii.
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subsidies to native Hawaiians and other local people.
Tulsi Gabbard said they are trying to cut Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant Program funding from the HUD budget. If that happens, there will be even less money for people trying to get into a home. The money goes to DHHL, so who knows if Hawaiian people ever received any in the past:
The NHHBG program is administered by HUD's Office of Native American Programs. The Hawaii State Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) is the sole recipient of NHHBG funds.
https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src...hbgprogram
"I'm at that stage in life where I stay out of discussions. Even if you say 1+1=5, you're right - have fun." - Keanu Reeves
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If only there were some land set aside for the Hawaiians...
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some land set aside for the Hawaiians...
Yes.
If DHHL had been in charge of the original double hulled ships that set sail across the Pacific from Tahiti to Hawaii, they never would have allowed anyone on board. Not until the applications, qualifications, and financial records were in order. By then, Captain Cook would have arrived at Kealakekua Bay to discover a deserted island. Or maybe the Menehune Kingdom.
"I'm at that stage in life where I stay out of discussions. Even if you say 1+1=5, you're right - have fun." - Keanu Reeves
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Since we have had this dialog so many times, let me pose some questions:
Apparently what has been alluded to is that some native Hawaiians in positions in various agencies are preventing money/benefits/land from flowing to other, needy native Hawaiians because of 1) incompetence/disorganization or 2) malfeasance (administrators lining their pockets). Possibly it is a combination of 1 and 2.
Is this what is going on? Are there other explanations, e.g., there is no graft; it is all a result of red tape.
The phenomenon of poor people not getting benefits due to them because of incompetence and graft is widespread. Many cultures, many nations.
So what is happening in Hawaii and what should be done about it? A state investigation? New oversight of agencies such as DHHL? Changes in law? More federal involvement? Ousting some current administrators? Just asking.
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MarkD,
It's not unlike your quote in the other thread "you pretend to pay us and we'll pretend to work"... The state legislature pretends to care about the Hawaiians, the environment, public health, education, etc. and keeps passing laws directing these agencies to do things, but never bothers to give them the budget that they need in order to accomplish all of their (alleged) responsibilities. The only unforgivable sins as a low level state (or county) employee are:
1) Do what you're told to do by your supervisor (if you feel like it)
2) Don't draw attention to yourself...
3) Don't work so hard that you show up your peers as slackers...
If you do that, you will have fine career.
As a result, things get done at half the rate and at twice the cost (at least) as they should get done...
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Here is the DHHL Mission Statement, from their website:
GENERAL PLAN
Approved by the Hawaiian Homes Commission
February 26, 2002
MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to manage the Hawaiian Home Lands trust effectively and to develop and deliver lands to native Hawaiians. We will partner with others towards developing self-sufficient and healthy communities.
Is this what they are doing?
No. The homelands are empty. People remain on the waiting list until they die.
If DHHL is unable to fulfill their mission as they are currently organized, then they need to either change their methods and procedure, or change their mission.
"I'm at that stage in life where I stay out of discussions. Even if you say 1+1=5, you're right - have fun." - Keanu Reeves
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All very unfortunate from the standpoint of helping needy Hawaiians.
One thing that has made a big difference is the homeless crisis, particularly on the streets and beaches of Waikiki and Ala Moana. For nearly a decade, visitor industry leaders have gripped about this situation to state and Honolulu county officials. A black eye for our visitor industry. These officials have been responding with housing initiatives.
Yes DHHL should be the lead in providing housing to native Hawaiians, but in the absence of this happening--for whatever reason--other initiatives will need handle this, IMO.
And does not DHHL do mostly raw land and houses? It seems easier to place people in apts and duplexes than in homes.
