Aside from the economic importance of military jobs in the Hawaiian Islands, tourism is a vital system. Hotels, entertainment, and meals cost about $200 a day for tourists, reports NPR. . There is help for those living within the Hawaiian Islands with food although most the individuals in line aren’t even locals.
Homelessness on the Hawaiian Islands is up
If shelter populations are any indication, the 10 percent increase in population over the past 12 months is telling. Not only that, writes NPR, but 1,300 of those homeless in Hawaii each year come from out of state. Out of state individuals like going to Hawaii for the 5 cents redeemed with plastic and aluminum. Gary Phillips, who was homeless in San Diego for a long period of time, came to Hawaii and makes as much as $40 per day this way. Phillips and many others like him sleep at the $3 shelter and receive 3 meals, $200 per month in food stamps and free state-funded health care. After being supported like this, they do not need money for anything else.
Perfect to visit when homeless or vacationing
Hawaii is using Medicaid and tax refunds to try and cover their budget deficit which is $1.2 billion. Considering that homeless shelters in the Hawaiian Islands typically take millions of taxpayer dollars to operate, the influx of mainlanders comes at a most inopportune time. Connie Mitchell, executive director of one of the largest homeless shelters on the Hawaiian Islands, told NPR that nearly a third of her shelter’s spending budget is spent on this type of new arrival. Mitchell and others are concerned that many people may even be taking up the homeless lifestyle simply to enjoy the tropical breezes and free care.
Homeless in Honolulu
The University of Hawaii’s Center on the Family reports that when 21 percent of the city’s homeless population was Caucasian in 2005, more than 43 percent are Caucasian in 2010. Most of these people are middle-aged and single. These people work on odd jobs when living in Hawaii off taxpayer money after getting enough to fly over. As the Hawaiian authorities start to catch on to the resource dilemma, the Hawaiian Islands homeless individuals will largely move on. It is hard to choose whether a person really needs the government help or now. People who truly need cash till payday should be the focus of aid programs, instead of possible freeloaders exploiting the welfare system.
UPDATE – Hawaii has tried sending homeless individuals back to the mainland. .
Additional reading
NPR
npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126675999
The price of paradise – and this was in 2008. It’s worse now.
youtube.com/watch?v=w058VpVl3t4
Newser
newser.com/story/96470/hawaii-buys-homeless-plane-tickets-to-mainland.html
