Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 4, Number 5, 1 May 1987 — Homeless Ask State, City for Kokua [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Homeless Ask State, City for Kokua

By Kcnny Haina, Editor Ka Wai Ola O OHA "The way to get help is to ask for it and that's why we're here. We must make the Legislators aware of our plight," declared Sena Gates of the Affordable Housing Allianee during a free-form rally of homeless people Apr. 13 in the State Capitol courtyard. Gates and Skippy Hensen, both of whom are from the Single Parents Advocacy Network (SPAN), told the crowd of more than 300 that "our Legislators must be told first hand by you people that we need affordable housing and emergency shelter." SPAN is one of more than 70 organizations and churches whieh make up the AHA coalition. Gates instructed the homeless to be "respectful" when talking to lawmakers. The homeless, handicapped and disabled on crutches and in wheel chairs, unemployed and children marched peacefully around the courtyard carrying banners and posters proclaiming the need for affordable housing. Others went to lobby their legislators. A statewide team of AHA representative, led by Sister Rosita Aranita, had been meeting all morning with representatives of Governor John David Waihee III, Lt. Governor Benjamin Cayetano, Senate President Richard Wong, House Speaker Daniel Kihano and Rep. Mitsuo Shito.

They later went over to Honolulu Hale and spoke with Councilman Gary Gill and visited the offices of other Council members. Some talked with Mayor Frank F. Fasi. AHA representatives from Oahu, Hawaii and Maui made the visitations. Kauai and Molokai members could not make it to the rally. Helen 0'Connor of the Allianee, who is working very closely with Sister Rosita, said the affordable housing situation is very critical. "We're here because we want the Legislators to see the homeless first hand," she said. "We've got bills for emergency shelter, professional services, self-help and one to lower the regulation for low ineome housing," 0'Connor noted. According to reports, these measures have died in Senate Ways and Means. Just two days before on Saturday, Apr. 11, Sister Rosita and 0'Connor decried the need for a convention

center and the securing of the America's Cup race in deference to the homeless. "What about our people?" they asked members of the Oahu District Council of Hawaiian Civic Clubs. They cited the critical shortage of affordable housing and emergency shelters as becoming a crisis situation over the next few years because of continuing urban renewal. The Allianee asked for $5 million in emergency shelter, $500,000 for professional services, $5 for the Rental Assistance Revolving Fund and $160 million for low cost housing. According to an Allianee report, there were about 2,000 people who were homeless in 1986. On any given day last year, there were 150 homeless families. The Volunteer Information and Referral Service received 2,500 calls for shelter last year.

A mother and her friend wheels a child while carrying their signs.

Skippy Henson tells homeless people and their supporters how to approach legislators and what to do. To her right in the rear is the Rev. Claude DuTeil, founder of the Institute for Human Services whieh looks after the welfare of street people.