Social agencies worried about ‘scary’ economic bind Faced with critical food shortages and rising unemployment partly due to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the Kaua’i Food Bank has joined a coalition that is asking the Legislature for up to $2.9
Social agencies worried about ‘scary’ economic bind
Faced with critical food shortages and rising unemployment partly due to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the Kaua’i Food Bank has joined a coalition that is asking the Legislature for up to $2.9 million in economic relief.
The coalition also includes Kaua’i United Way, the Hawaii Community Foundation and Hawai’i Social Service Council. Any appropriation of funds would be administered and disbursed by United Way.
If no funds come to Kaua’i, the island could be overrun by social problems, including increased crime, drugs and homelessness, officials say.
On Tuesday, the heads of Kaua’i United Way, Kaua’i Economic Opportunity, ARC and the food bank met with four state legislators to discuss funds for food shortages, shelter, utilities, medical insurance and domestic violence.
“The situation is scary, but people are coming together and want to help,” said United Way executive director Scott Giarman.
Money legislation will be sent to the Senate next Monday for review. The bill must be approved by the Legislature and Governor Ben Cayetano before funds can be allocated.
The coalition also is trying to enlist the help of Kaua’i County and plans to make a presentation at a County Council meeting next Thursday.
In August, Kaua’i had the highest unemployment rate in the state at 6.7 percent, compared with 4.5 percent statewide and 4.9 percent nationally, said the state Department of Labor.
An economic slump resulting from the Sept. 11 attack has driven up unemployment statewide. More than 500 Kaua’i residents have either lost their jobs or had their jobs reduced by 25 hours, Giarman said.
The food bank, the Salvation Army and other non-profit groups have seen a rise in the demand for food and shelter, he said.
“It comes down to this: We want to keep people in their homes with adequate food,” Giarman said. “Once they become homeless, they spiral out of control. Social problems develop, including drug abuse. Families fall apart.”
Last Tuesday on O’ahu, Giarman, Mabel Fujiuchi of Kaua’i Economic Opportunity, Ellen Ching of ARC and Judy Lenthal of the food bank met with Sen. Suzanne Chun Oakland (D-14th District) and Reps. Hermina Morita of Kaua’i (D-12th District), Michael Puamamo Kahikina (D-43rd District) and Dennis Arakaki (D-28th District) to discuss the funding.
Kaua’i’s other legislators – Reps. Ezra Kanoho (D-13th District) and Bertha Kawakami (D-14h District) and Sen. Jonathan Chun (D-7th District) – also have offered support or will be asked to help, Giarman said.
Maui County has received $1.5 million in state funds to address similar problems faced by Kaua’i, Lenthal said.
The Kaua’i Food Bank has participated in weekly meetings hosted by Kaua’i United Way, Hawaii Community Foundation Hawai’i Social Service and the governor’s Kaua’i liaison to assess the island’s needs in the economic downturn since the terrorism and its effect on the tourism industry, Lenthal said.
Recognizing the attack might adversely affect fundraising efforts, the G.N. Wilcox Hospital Foundation has donated $50,000 to United Way this year, Giarman said.
United Way hopes to raise more than $500,000 this year, with a majority of the funds to go to more than 20 service organizations on Kaua’i.
The food bank, which receives funding from the organization, doesn’t have any emergency food storage space at its warehouse near Nawiliwili Harbor and has asked the county for help. Councilman Ron Kouchi has asked that the county’s old Gem building in Lihu’e be set aside for that type of use.
Lenthal said the food bank needs about 2,000 square feet of warehouse space for its emergency holiday food drive.
Staff writer Lester Chang can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) and mailto:lchang@pulitzer.net
