Kauai needs to work together at all levels to make headway toward ending homelessness on the island. That was the theme of Monday night’s Homelessness Awareness Vigil hosted by the Kauai Community Alliance at the Lihue United Church. “There’s a
Kauai needs to work together at all levels to make headway toward ending homelessness on the island.
That was the theme of Monday night’s Homelessness Awareness Vigil hosted by the Kauai Community Alliance at the Lihue United Church.
“There’s a lack of cooperation at all levels and we need to think about what more we can do to make more success stories,” said Napuanani McKeague, who heads up Voices of Kauai, a group that works to provide assistance to houseless people.
McKeague said, she understands what it’s like to be houseless, because she’s in that situation.
“I’m homeless right now and this is the fourth time I’ve been homeless since 2014,” McKeague said to the crowd of about 30 people. “I’m a business owner too, so I understand both sides and I live both sides.”
McKeague was one of four homeless people who spoke at the vigil.
Doug Smith, 73, told the audience that he’s been without a house for the last 10 months, living in his vehicle and on the beach, and that it’s been one of the most “disintegrating” experiences of his life.
“I would challenge everybody to try it because you don’t know what it’s like until you do,” Smith said. “You don’t feel safe.”
Smith said the best way for the county to create a solution for homelessness on Kauai is to ask those who are houseless because they’re the ones who understand what solutions are needed.
“These programs you have aren’t working,” Smith said. “Come ask us. Let us figure it out and present it to you. Let us give you the answers.”
Carl Altmeir, who has been living on the streets for two and a half years, said he purposefully sleeps in the gutter because shelters aren’t safe enough, even though he often has conflicts with law enforcement and the public.
“I’ve been spit on and called lots of names, but on the positive side, I also see the amazing amount of compassion and love in the people here,” Altmeir said.
Councilwoman JoAnn Yukimura said homelessness is one of the biggest challenges facing Kauai.
“There are solutions out there and we have to study what other areas have done,” she said. “We need diverse opinions and thinking to solve this.”
In the audience, formerly houseless people sat in solidarity with friends.
“We’ve all been there and we understand where they are at,” said Susie Ohlen. “We’re here to help support and to just be here to help however we can.”
