Down and Out in Waikiki: Homeless Population Soaring in Resort Community
Where: Oahu || Grouped in: Oahu Hotels || Tagged:
I've been noticing this for weeks as I passed through Waikiki on the way to surf or take my kids to the beach. More tents. More unkempt folks wandering the sidewalks in various states of confusion. More trash on the ground at Queen's Beach. You name it. So I was not surprised to see this article in PBN about rising populations of homeless in Waikiki.
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Considering that the Hawaii economy is getting worse and that the islands are such a friendly place for the homeless, its not wonder the populations haven't grown even more. It's not for want of space at homeless shelters -- there are a decent amount of those. But who wouldn't want to camp out beach front for days on end with a free supply of food and water from government authorities? I mean, I'm half tempted myself. Yes, yes, I understand that some of these people have no other options and some are deranged. But gimme some of that Kool-Aid, man! Publics, Queen's, Old Mans on my doorstep and monthly rent of $0? What's not to like.
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Comments
Mark said:
We may be camping out indefinitely too unless I get a new gig soon. Maybe some nights under the stars are just what I need to lose these unemployment blues.
Living alfresco has been a ongoing contentious issue for a long time in Hawaii. The indigenous folk feel that it’s a traditional way of life, and should be a protected right. Land ownership, instead of sharing the earth, kinda spoils the whole concept and creates a rift.
—03/09/09
bob said:
Recently, I was vacationing in San Diego and I saw more homeless people roaming around the area of Downtown San Diego Hotels than ever before. I’m from Palm Springs, we haven’t run into this problem yet.
Bob,
Hotel Palm Springs
—07/06/09
anthony said:
is there anyone addressing the homeless population growing in the Waikiki area. everyone I talk to says they are being imported from the mainland..many of these people collect ssi checks and live in the public parks and gardens..I standing in the ABC store contracted scabies from a homeless person bumping his arm on me and saying he dumpster dives I immediately moved away. the incident cost me around 100.00 to get rid of the mites. my doctor says mites are a big problem in Hawaii..I notice these people walking around Waikiki scratching themselves and never take baths. there are even some walking the streets with almost no clothing left..I live in Waikiki and see the tourists disgust when they see what we have here. the shopping cart trains moving about our city is just to much. I grew up on Oahu and it is home to me but so is Texas and you will never see this over there.. iv watched Texas police officers confiscate the shopping carts and all in property in it… the cart is not the homeless property and if they cant prove ownership of the contents it is confiscated thrown into a city truck and taken away..keeps the streets CLEAN .these homeless people with shopping cart trains need to be dealt with.. I am aware of the waikiki homeless coalition but it doesn’t seem they are doing anything about the problem but feeding these people…
—10/14/09