Editorial: Empathy for homeless

There is a reason why, as the Hawaii Perspectives poll pointed out, there is a well of sympathy for the homeless within the community. Without negating the effect of the aloha spirit, it’s because the sentiment edges close to empathy.

Many people see a future version of themselves in those encampments and, sadly, some could end up there at some point.

Pollsters asked the 942 registered voters who were surveyed Feb. 4-12: Which island problems have worsened in recent years? For 79 percent, the top answer was homelessness.

About 57 percent weighed in to support the notion of government doing more to guide the homeless from the streets to any treatment they need and into permanent housing. That’s more than twice the percentage of those who want government to “sweep” the homeless from public spaces more aggressively.

In addition, many feel they are living close to the edge of homelessness themselves. Roughly 47 percent pointed to the high cost of living as the main reason they or someone in their household has considered moving away.

According to the Hawai‘i Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice, this state has the sixth highest rate of poverty in the country, using the Supplemental Poverty Measure, which takes into account both the cost of living and available government assistance. That’s not a poll result, that’s a fact — one that explains where some of the empathy comes from.