LIHUE — There were those who were skeptical about revealing where they live after previous experiences led to aggravating their homeless condition. There were those who were afraid of their parents’ wrath if they found out about their homeless situation, and there were those who were still looking for a place to call home.
They waited in the warm sun that broke through a weekend of unsettled weather, watching the Vision Van pull in at Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall, and watching the time for lunch to be served.
Lunch and breakfast were served free at the first “Project Connect Kauai” presented by the Kauai Community Alliance Monday as part of its observance of Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week that is being observed from Nov. 16 through 24.
“This is the first one we’re doing,” said Melody Lopez of the Catholic Charities.
The event brings resources together and connects the homeless and at-risk to those resources.
Clients, on arriving and checking in, were provided with a “navigator” who did a brief survey to discover the client’s needs and direct them to the appropriate resources.
“I brought my son after we found out about this at the welfare office,” a gentleman said while waiting in the shade outside the convention hall. “He’s homeless. We have other more elderly relatives who are also homeless, but they have places to stay. My son is just homeless, and he didn’t want to come. I figured I’d help him by bringing him here so he can figure things out and get back on his feet.”
The Vision Van offered eye screening and free reading glasses.
Others like the table being manned by Kauai Realty staff distributed free rubber slippers that were provided by the New Hope, Lihue church.
The county maintained tables offering services and help for youth through the elderly, some of whom are on the threshold of being homeless because of their age and fixed income.
Other resources included the free lunches being prepared by the Hawaii Foodbank, Kauai Branch, hygiene products, and a host of speakers, including Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami, Gov. David Ige’s liason Carrice Gardner, and representing the Kauai County Council, Kipukai Kuali‘i.
“It’s been going pretty well,” Lopez said. “There are a lot of people making the connections they needed to find. This is just the first one. We’re definitely coming back with more.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
