Appreciate the improved service
Mahalo nui loa to the individuals responsible for the positive changes at the Finance Department in the Kapule Building in Lihue. Having a chair to sit on is 100-percent better than having to stand in line, especially for our kupuna. The “Express Lane” is also a great improvement. Appreciating akamai people.
Caroline Okasako, Kapaa
Thank you for working in storm
Mega mahalos to all those who worked through Sunday’s nasty, cold, wet weather to restore power to those of us who were without!
We may not know who you are but you ARE appreciated — very much.
Thank you, KIUC workers, road crews, police, fire, cable-company employees, and regular citizens who stepped up to clear the roads of fallen trees and branches, restore downed power lines and all other challenging jobs under challenging circumstances.
Many thanks on behalf of all of us who could only sit and wait for you — you came through again.
Mary Mulhall, Kapaa
Help others instead of judging them
I’m writing this in response and not defense. Who are you people? What planet are you from? We as humans have the privilege to practice kindness and compassion. What do you practice?
I wrote a piece on finding myself houseless (TGI, Feb 3). I mean, really? There was no complaining, no asking for help, not wanting empathy or sympathy! Only a note to let everyone know this could be you. What would you do?
I have lived here since 1984. I know how the island works. I have been a business owner as well as a homeowner. For the last seven years I have been living comfortably in the same home. Unfortunately, the new owner wanted to turn my home into apartments and I got a 45-day notice. Now what? That’s not much time. Time to say your world is about to change, and not by your own choice. Upside down and sideways.
My boyfriend works two jobs. I am disabled and a writer. I am also a fellow taxpaying citizen who has been dealt a new hand. In society, we all have rules we need to follow. That is the law. So I followed the rules.
I am not in need of any services, blankets, food or towels. But there are many people who are. There is a subculture existing among the homeless. Every area has a hierarchy. Hierarchies come with rules.
People are there for various reasons. Some by choice, some by mental illness. Of course, there are some who have drug problems. And I said “some.” And there are some who are here by circumstance, circumstances of the rules of society.
Everyday people like me and you. You would never know.
People like county workers, nurses, teachers and business people all living out of their cars! The main service we all need is a house. A house to turn houseless into a home. How sad for these people, me included. We make due. We don’t feel sorry for ourselves and we are proud. We are not asking for government handouts. We work for a living, just like you!
Even with the assistance of HUD the prices of rent are too high for most individuals to pay. So, please, we are looking all the time.
Who are you people to judge anyone? I am here to say this could be you and there is a problem.
We cannot ignore the homeless crisis. Something must be done by society for it is society’s problem. All I can do is survive, help people who don’t know how to be aware, and help those in need through kindness and compassion. What can you do?
Janet Powell, Houseless on Kauai, Lihue
If the rental prices are too high for you to afford here on Kauai, as much as you would like to stay, it would make sense to move to a more affordable area of the country. You don’t have to be “houseless” as you call it. You’ve made a choice so accept the consequences. You don’t have to write to inform us there are homeless people here. We already know it.
Houselessness is not the problem. It is the result of the problem.
I can and do empathize with the homeless, housing crisis esspecially effecting women and children first…..
I will continue to work with and support Hawaii’an Kingdom subjects and those who support the RULES OF WAR! YES, I SAID WAR!!! 125 YEARS OF ILLEGAL OCCUPATION AND SUBSEQUENT ABUSE, CULTURAL GENOCIDE AND COLONIZATION.
Read about the fact that the Teacher’s Union and the UN supports the Hawai’ian Kingdom Independence and return to a Civilized society….
HAWAIIANKINGDOM.ORG
I have compassion for those who have not been able to keep their financial situation together enough to weather the possible challenges that we all must face in one of the most expensive place in the country to live. Like many of us, I give money to places, like the Institute for Human Services, that help the homeless in Hawaii. https://ihshawaii.org/#
After reading your letter today I went to Zillow for rentals on Kauai and a quick look found seven (7) available units ranging from $1,000/mo. for a 1 bdrm/1bath apartment to $1,850/mo. for a 3 bdrm/1 bath unit. These prices seem to be fair and not excessive. I’d say that if you can’t afford one of those, then maybe Hawaii is not the best place for you to choose to live.
There are plenty of other places in the country where the rents are far cheaper than Kauai. Maybe with you now saving money by living in your car and paying no rent, you can save up for a rental deposit and first month’s rent, or for a move to a less expensive place to live. Why is it society’s responsibility to house you in one of the most expensive places in the country to which you chose to come. There used to be plenty of rents on Kauai until people from other places decided to move here and bid up what used to be reasonably priced housing. But you wish to put the responsibility upon others for your choices…especially when you have options.
I choose to help those who are mentally unstable, unable to work via disabilities, or who are ready to confront their debilitating drug/alcohol dependencies. Let’s pay for treatments and help to those who are committed to changing and improving their circumstances.
CNBC published an article last year that showed Hawaii as the most expensive place in the nation to live. Here’s the link:
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/28/these-are-americas-most-expensive-states-to-live-in-for-2018.html
Janet: no complaining in your last letter? Look again! You whined about being giving toiletries! You were lucky you were given anything at all. You are looking for a house? Why not move? Why stay here? There are cheaper homes and places to stay on the mainland. You want to stay in paradise, you have to pay the price. Grow up! You can’t have everything!
Ms. Okasako. No-one said they don’t appreciate the chairs in DMV. “Do not insult our intelligence. The chairs does not speed up the process .” Add more workers!
Janet… don’t you think it’s kind of stupid for people to live where you can’t afford to live? it’s an island of supply and demand and there is millions with the money to buy into the lifestyle that’s for sale. and with the world full of people wanting and affording a change from the packed sardine cans of the world will only continue to grow and Kauai will become an even more expensive place to afford to live or survive in the future.
I hear rents are cheap in Oklahoma.