WAIKIKI OR CHINATOWN - HOMELESS IS STILL HOMELESS

A recent trip to K-Mart gave the old geezer the opportunity to check out who was hanging about IHS.  The shelter run by IHS is just across the road from K-Mart.

As luck would have it, the old geezer spied someone known to, sitting on the car park wall.  Justin is employed by IHS to do outreach to the homeless.  His main area of interest is Chinatown.  I admire Justin, he is one of the folks who really feels for the people who are in need of help.

Justin and the old geezer do not see eye to eye about the homeless or the role that IHS plays in dealing with the homeless problem.   Truth be told, Justin feels that the old geezer is not fair in his views about IHS.  Justin believes that IHS is responsible for Chinatown and Waikiki Health Centre, which operates Care-A-Van, is responsible for Waikiki.  After all, Justin says that there are more homeless people in Chinatown than in Waikiki.

Last time looked, the homeless travel.  Many of the homeless that are in Chinatown have been known to be in Waikiki, and the same holds true for homeless in Waikiki.  One of the main draws of Chinatown is the feeding programmes available.  The homeless can catch a meal at River of Life or IHS.  Just like Waikiki Health Centre, IHS is a mail drop point for the homeless.

In chatting to Justin, it is learned that not all of the space for the homeless is filled.  There is always a mat available.  Justin says that IHS can not force the homeless to stay in the shelter.  True.

The photo of the sign used in this post was found on the INTERNET.  Google says it is from Hawaii.  It could be from anywhere.  It could be from Chinatown or it could be from Waikiki.  The message says it all.

IHS came about due to the compassion an episcopal priest had for his fellow man.  They used to call it "The Peanut Butter and Jelly" outreach.  The good father wanted to draw attention to the horrid condition of the homeless and to offer some comfort.  IHS is much bigger than a peanut butter and jelly sandwich these days.  One wonders just how true IHS is to the original mission of the good father.

There is no doubt that IHS helps people.  IHS is not 'one size fits all' solution.  Mind, you might have better luch with IHS if you happen to find self homeless in Chinatown...

"WE KNOW THAT WE ARE GETTING PEOPLE OFF THE STREET"

The quote used in the title comes from Darryl Vincent, chairman of Partners in Care-Oahu's Continuum of Care.

Mr. Vincent is a very clever chap.  Has an answer for everything.

Mr. Vincent is dependant on his organization receiving a never ending flow of public monies to fund his efforts to solve homelessness in Hawaii, more specific, Oahu.

Whatever the local newspaper reports, good or bad, is another opportunity for Mr. Vincent to put a positive slant on efforts to help the homeless.

To my mind, if you piss on a wall long enough, you will get some part of said wall wet...

YOU CAN LEAD A HORSE TO WATER BUT YOU CAN NOT FORCE IT TO DRINK

James

James could be a poster child for Hawaii's Chronic Homeless.  James says he has been living rough for the past 6 years.  From living in a van to sleeping on a bench at The Bus Stop.

Tuesday last, James made his way to hospital to get some treatment for his leg.  James had waited until he could not walk and the pain was too much to bear.  To his credit, James made his way painfully to Queen's Medical Center.  The leg was so swollen and infected, it required cutting his trouser leg to get to.

Seeing this as a golden opportunity to get some sort of housing for James, I rang up Marc Alexander, IHS bigwig, to see if he might be able to do something to help James.  Mr. Alexander did not hesitate to provide some help.  It was set up for James to chat with a person who deals with folks in crisis.

Unfortunately, having told James that someone would ring him, he took to not answering the telephone in his room.  Told me that he could not abandon a friend he helps on the street.  Told me this after his being told by social worker at Queen's that his options upon release from hospital were limited.

James will have his infection treated, his leg will go down in size, and he will return to living uncovered on the streets of Waikiki.  His choice.

It is not my place to question James' sanity.  Mind, readers are ever so clever and you already have put together that James is 'not full quid'.

The local newspaper had another article about homeless in this morning's paper.  Regardless of the numbers, the director of US VETS sees positive things in them.  Thinks the increase may well be due to the counting of the homeless being more accurate.  What a lot of tosh.

James is a member of that 'chronic homeless population' that has yet to get shelter.  His 'friend' is another member of that population.  Between the two, hospital costs increase due to the unhealthy nature of their life style.  This time out it is just a week or so for James.  Last Christmas, James' friend spent 45 days in hospital due to a failed suicide attempt.

The article in the local paper contained quotes from a 32 year old, who is homeless.  "I hate Hawaii" and "I am here because it is a good place to be homeless".  Wonder if we can set up a collection to help the poor bugger return to where ever he came from.

I am not pleased that James will not accept help.  I will continue to chip away at that attitude.  I am proud that I know someone like Marc Alexander.  Am not known for being fond of IHS, but that did not stop the man from offering to help.  I wish the local newspaper would do more than to keep rehashing old news.  Look for information outside of usual sources.

ALAN IS MY KIND OF WEIRD

Alan

“The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue center light pop and everybody goes "AWWW!”

Truth be told, Alan, regardless of appearance, is anything but normal.

From the very first meeting, I knew - "There's a story there" - and I was right.

Is it not strange how friendship pops up in the most unusual places?  Who would have thought that the likes of the old geezer would get up close and personal with a very 'hard to know' person such as Alan.  Might have something to do with me winning personality OR the knack of asking too many questions...

In many ways, Alan is a contradiction.  Alan says he does not care about appearances, yet buys a very sporty vehicle, bright red no less.  Not content to live as a renter, Alan purchases a grand house.  Mind, Alan still thinks that Walmart is the only place to purchase his wardrobe.

I like Alan, more to the point, I am quite sure Alan likes me.  He does not understand the drama of my life, but seems interested in all of the weird things going on.

Alan is not one to upset folks.  Goes out of his way to not hurt feelings.

Recently, Alan closed the deal on his new house.  A large three bedroom house.  The old geezer wasted no time in telling Alan what colour to paint the bedroom that would be 'home' to the old geezer.  Banged on quite long, I did.  Partly out of fun and partly to test the waters.

However much Alan might like the old geezer, the idea of having MOI share his home was not to his liking.  Alan did not know how to tell the old geezer.  I may be lots of things but 'daft' is not one of them.  Truth be told, it was very clear to MOI that a new housing situation was not going to happen.

The last time looked, friendship should not be a chore.  Nor should one make another feel uncomfortable with what expectations.  Alan will more than like, be very close to the old geezer for years to come.  It is quite possible that me being a rose, covered with thorns, is not what sort of flower Alan thought the old geezer would be in the garden of friendship, but is still better than being a nasty weed...

Now if I could only get Alan to splash out on furniture, instead of talking ally rubbish from someone...