Mark Ladao’s article on the homeless reveals that nomads who prefer living in tents or out in the open are nothing new (“Homeless in Kakaako have their reasons to stay,” Star- Advertiser, May 31).

The only difference between these folks and Bedouins, for example, is that today’s tent dwellers encamp in cities, creating their nonconforming version of a “residential” population within an already existing socially established civic framework.

The problem is, they want the social and cultural benefits provided by taxpaying residents without the responsibilities that go along with playing by the rules.

“Housing” isn’t the issue here. Clearly, these street-dwellers are resourceful enough to use cell phones, hook up TVs and create furnished, “open-air homes” to meet their needs. Perhaps they’re better suited for government-provided, self-regulating “reservation-style” living than homeless shelters.

Perle Besserman

Kakaako

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