Homelessness | Insights on PBS Hawai'i

Host Dan Boylan moderates this discussion about Hawaii's homeless crisis. During his recent State of the City address, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell pointed out homelessness as a priority needing immediate attention. Guests will discuss how the city and state are tackling this problem, including a plan that will focus on finding housing as the first step.
Scheduled guests: Marc Alexander, Director of Community Relations, Institute for Human Services; Stanley Chang, Honolulu City Council member; Marc Gannon, Chief of Community Health Services, Waikiki Health; and Jenny Lee, Staff Attorney, Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice.
Original Air Date: April 18, 2013.

[@DoubleMrE]

I totally agree with Dan Boylan about the frustration of the abuse of our public spaces by the homeless. Every citizen--including homeless people--have a right to use our public spaces. But along with that right comes the responsibility to conform to a minimum level of appearance and conduct. A person who is naked does not conform to that standard and is arrested and fined. Likewise, a person who is filthy & stinking should be arrested & fined (or do jail time in lieu of a fine).

[@DoubleMrE]

A person who is sleeping (or even defecating!) on a public sidewalk should be arrested on the spot. I feel sympathy for the homeless and want to help them, but we have to maintain basic order in the streets!