Help for homeless just a spool of red tape away

There are myriad reasons homeless encampments have sprung up all over Honolulu, but here’s one: Getting people off the streets and into emergency shelters isn’t all that simple.

That’s how it seems, anyway, judging by statements by social service providers. During last week’s sweep of homeless campers from Kakaako sidewalks in the enforcement of the city’s new ordinance, staff from Waikiki Health Center worked with Next Step to line up 13 new applicants for the shelter. However, that process can take up to a month, because there needs to be background checks and the submission of children’s birth certificates and health records.

Clearly, such checks are needed to keep things safe for the whole shelter population. Still, imagine having to jump through these hoops while carrying all your worldly possessions with you. It’s not easy or quick.

A long journey has gotta start somewhere

University of Hawaii football coach Norm Chow might have grand plans for his Warriors this season, but right now the challenge is to find the silver lining in expectations by sports journalists who cover the Mountain West Conference that the Warriors will finish last in its division.

UH quarterback Taylor Graham, for his part, said, "We’re going to embrace the underdog role."

Let’s hope the team’s fans are able to do that as well.