Why I'm Running: End Homelessness On Oahu

Aloha!

The economic downturn, unemployment rates, and strained public and private organizations across Hawaii have together compounded our island’s homelessness issue. We must take decisive action now to end this problem for the sake of the countless homeless Hawaii residents and all of society.

Through my work over the years at U.S. VETS, a veterans shelter in Kapolei, I’ve seen first hand how a person’s life can change for the worst in a matter of weeks or months. I’ve also been a part of the astounding turnaround that many of the residents experience when they’re given the necessary tools to take back their lives.

As a member of the legislative housing committee during Governor Lingle’s Emergency Proclamation on Homelessness, we at last provided adequate emergency housing and better coordination of social services. But our work is not done. We must focus on preventing homelessness and creating permanent housing solutions for those ready to leave shelters and reenter society.

Public safety officials and all other state, city and county departments must better collaborate with homeless service providers and formally develop plans and structures for successful discharge planning. Hospitals, jails, and state or public institutions cannot continue to discharge people into homelessness if we are ever to solve our island’s homelessness crisis.

As Councilwoman, I will work to allocate more resources to fund permanent supportive housing. There is a great need to have permanent settings for the homeless where they can live in a stable environment. This means more funding for leasing current units in the communities and allocating money so skilled workers can provide much needed care so people can continue to overcome the issues that first caused their homelessness.

It won’t be easy, but it must be done. I hope you will give me the opportunity to help solve this and many other issues facing the City Council.

The two photos above are from my recent visit to a homeless camp near the Waianae Boat Harbor and with members of the Word of Life Outreach Team for the Homeless in Waianae. The group meets every Tuesday at the Waianae Boat Harbor at 9:30 a.m. Please call the church if you have any food donations for their outreach work.

For more information about why I'm running, please visit pineforcouncil.com.

Mahalo!

Rep. Kymberly Pine

Grassroots Report

Our grassroots team is going strong! In the last week alone, our canvassers reached 2,400 homes! Dozens of volunteers signwaved all throughout the week and our phone bankers reached hundreds of voters. Mahalo to everyone who has joined our team and dedicated your valuable time and energy to Team Pine!

If you would like to join this fun team, information about how to get involved can be found to the right. We are looking for volunteers for sign waving, phone banking, fundraising, and walking with Kymberly door-to-door. If you'd like to help Kymberly, please click here and fill out the form to join Team Pine. We hope to see you soon at one of our upcoming volunteer events!