Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 23, Number 9, 1 September 2006 — OHA joins in Leeward Oʻahu homeless relief [ARTICLE]

OHA joins in Leeward Oʻahu homeless relief

Trustees approve up to $1 million to assist in state relief efforts By KWŪ Staff

In an effort to bring mueh needed aid to the rising Native Hawaiian homeless population in Leeward O'ahu, OHA's Board of Trustees has committed up to $1 million from the agency's operating budget to assist that highly concentrated Native Hawaiian community by working in eoncert with Gov. Linda Lingle and the state on finding solutions to this serious challenge. "The trustees were unanimous in their approval of

these funds to assist homeless Native Hawaiians," said OHA Chairperson Haunani Apoliona. "We realize that housing solutions continue to be a challenge in Hawai'i, for Native Hawaiians as well as the community at large. This is one way to be part of that solution." Gov. Lingle said that "this generous grant from OHA supports the collaborative effort between the state, private sector, military, faithbased community, nonprofit organizations, city, residents and other groups to help the homeless gain self-suf-ficiency and improve the quality of life for everyone in the community." In July, Lingle named

Department of Hawaiian Home Lands official Kaulana Park as "homeless solutions team leader" to oversee activities and resources relating to homeless solutions. As part of this effort, the state has been working to identify existing state, federal or private structures that ean be converted to emergency and transitional shelters. OHA's $1 million contribution will fund more pennanent village cluster develop-

ments. The state is in discussions with other community partners, including the Ali'i trusts, the construction industry, unions, the city and the military, to secure additional funds and resources. It is estimated that of the roughly 4,000 homeless citizens currently in Leeward O'ahu, as many as 60 to 70 percent are Native Hawaiian. According to Park, a survey of 331 homeless families on Leeward beaches was

conducted earlier this year, revealing that some 700 ehildren under the age of 1 8 were among the family members of those interviewed. Of the total Leeward coast homeless population, Park said, approximately half are living in mauka areas, and half more visibly at beach parks along the coast from Nānākuli to Keawa'ula. "This is a serious eommunity problem that requires eompassion and determination," Park said. "What is needed is a great deal of community support for these people in need. They are our fellow citizens, our neighbors, our family. They're certainly not outcasts. They deserve a ehanee, a safe plaee to live, and programs to get them on their feet. What will drive this is community spirit. 'A'ohehana nui ke alu 'ia. No task is too great when we work together in concert." E3

NŪ HOU • NEWS

[?]