Legislator troubled by trespass law
By James Gonser
Advertiser Staff Writer
A statewide forum at the state Capitol yesterday provided an update on efforts by human service providers, volunteers and the government to end homelessness in Hawai'i and laid out some plans for the future.
More than 150 people jammed a hearing room for the day-long forum sponsored by the service providers group Partners in Care. The event is part of the National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week activities in Hawai'i.
Rep. Michael Kahikina, D-44th (Nanakuli, Honokai Hale) said the 2004 Legislature appropriated nearly $500,000 for homeless programs, self-help housing and youth programs, but admitted it is not nearly enough.
"I've seen first hand the effects of homelessness," Kahikina said. "They don't earn enough money and struggle with drug abuse and mental health."
Kahikina said he has some problems with a law the Legislature also passed this year: Act 50, which criminalizes "camping" on public property.
The law allows a police officer or other authorized individual to ban someone from public property for a year by warning the person that he or she is not welcome on the premises. The law, which has been used to push homeless from one location to another, has been singled out as one of the severest penalties in the nation to discourage people from living on public property.
"We didn't know the ramifications of it," he said. "In a democracy, we can improve the law."
A 2003 state report shows the number of homeless on any given night has risen dramatically in four years, to 6,029, up from 3,171.
Sen. Suzanne Chun Oakland, D-13th (Kalihi, Nu'uanu), said Hawai'i's rising housing costs have contributed to the increase in homelessness and those numbers are likely to keep rising.
Chun Oakland's efforts to raise the conveyance tax to pay for the Rental Housing Trust Fund last year failed, and she will try again this year. The fund provides low-interest loans and grants for low-income housing. A study conducted for the state estimates there is a need for 30,000 affordable housing units — 17,000 rentals and 13,000 sales units.
"What we're doing is not enough," she said.
James Richart, 45, a homeless man who lives in Waikiki, attended the forum.
Richart said people talk a lot about affordable housing but he and other homeless people are more concerned with staying alive today.
"How about dealing with where it's at right now?" he said outside the meeting.
Panelists from the state Department of Health, the city Department of Community Services and Aloha United Way talked about progress made in the last year to provide services. Representatives from the Neighbor Islands reported on their efforts to provide food, housing and healthcare to the homeless.
Darlene Hein, chairwoman for Partners In Care, said the forum allows people to coordinate their efforts statewide.
"Really what we want to do is invigorate people to come together and work," Hein said. "To show up at the Legislature, talk to policy makers and work together. These are people showing leadership. I'm very optimistic."
Reach James Gonser at 535-2431 or jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com.
