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DAN NAKASO / DNAKASO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Misty Kela‘i, Executive Director of the mayor’s office of culture & the arts (in white holding bowl), blesses 42 newly renovated apartments at the corner of Pi’ikoi and Hassinger streets that will be used to house the homeless.
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With homeless encampments becoming so visible — in some cases, taking over public sites and sidewalks — it’s easy to lose sight of compassion for those who are truly struggling. And that can quickly lead to NIMBY-ism (Not In My Back Yard-ism), when it comes to siting shelter or rental units. Now comes Central Union Church, reminding us all how to be part of the solution, with its effort called “Yes in My Back Yard.”
When the city recently revamped a 24-unit Beretania apartment building that took 81 homeless people off the streets, including 42 children, Central Union welcomed its new neighbors with donated “aloha baskets” of household items; it now is considering programs for the kids and even family cooking classes. Breaking the cycle of homelessness can happen. Let it begin with YIMBYism.
We’re not the gamblers we think we are
Considering its love for vacationing in Las Vegas, one might think Hawaii would finish up there on a list of “Most Gambling Addicted States.”
But no, WalletHub, the personal finance website with a fondness for comparison lists, ranks Hawaii 39th. On the other hand, that’s pretty high, given that only Hawaii and Utah have outlawed all forms of gambling (Utah’s the 48th Most Addicted State). And enforcement of the ban seems pretty aggressive here: Hawaii had the fourth most gambling-related arrests per capita. You can bet how the addiction rate would soar if it were legal.