Aloha Spirit Attracting the Homeless

Aloha Spirit Attracting the Homeless

The island beauty with it’s gorgeous weather and aloha spirit is the attraction for visitors from all over. Tourism is the island’s main industry and major source of income. The same beauty is attracting another group of people to the islands at a much lower cost per person. The homeless. “A tourist in Hawaii spends an average of $200 a day for a hotel room, meals and entertainment. But there’s another class of visitors given room and board, full heath care benefits and more for just $3 a day. It’s not a luxury vacation package - just homeless benefits courtesy of Hawaii’s taxpayers.” (Yoshioka) Homelessness is an issue that is a growing concern for our government as well as the public. The State government has implemented a viable plan to end homelessness with successful steps forward only to be hindered by the growing population of the homeless. According to a census taken in January 2010, within a span of twelve months, there was a 15% increase of homeless people in Hawaii. At a population of 4,171, 30% are from out-of-state (in Hawaii for less than a year). (Berr). Seven years ago, that percentage was 3.3%. (Plan to End Homelessness in Hawaii) The obvious immediate need and solution is to reduce the influx of out-of-state homeless from making the island beaches their home. The Aloha Spirit is being abused and the local residents are paying for it at a rate of $35,000 per homeless person annually.

One group of people that the out-of-state homeless comprises are the South Pacific Islanders of the Federated States of Micronesia whose governments have an agreement called the Compact of Free Association (CFA) with the U.S. This pact allows the residents to travel freely and receive services as if they were citizens. (Hawaii sees increase in out-of-state homeless) Representative John Mizuno has stated that the Micronesians cost the state approximately $100 million a year. While Hawaii receives federal funds...