Question: How many of the homeless are mentally ill? Do they know?
Answer: By “they,” we assume you are referring to social service agencies, not the patients themselves. Yes, that data is gathered. According to a 2019 census, 24% of all the homeless individuals counted on Oahu indicated a mental health disability that impaired their ability to work or perform activities of daily life.
That percentage is close to estimates of mental illness in the general U.S. population (20%), indicating that the mentally ill are not seriously over-represented among Oahu’s homeless population, but may be more visible because of their condition, according to the report, which you can read at 808ne.ws/pit2019.
In recent years, homeless people on Oahu who indicate a mental health issue have been prioritized for placement in emergency and transitional shelters, as well as in permanent housing, the report says.
Q: Many years ago you printed information about someone who helps with birds. I can’t recall the name of the organization. Unfortunately, I live in an area where there are many feral cats and they are wreaking havoc. It breaks my heart. I try to save the injured ones but I am not sure what I am doing is right. I would like some advice from that group, if it still exists.
A: We believe you are thinking of the Wild Bird Rehab Haven. Yes, this all- volunteer nonprofit organization still exists; it was found- ed in 2003. It doesn’t have a facility where you can take the birds, but does offer advice and training for people who want to learn how to do it themselves.
Here is the contact information:
Mail: P.O. Box 1897
Kailua, HI 96734
Phone: 808-447-9274
Website: wildbirdrehab
haven.org
Email: wbrh@wildbird
rehabhaven.org
On the website, click on the “Information” tab for instructions on what to do if you find an injured or orphaned bird. There’s also information about free aviculture classes and volunteer opportunities.
If you call, rather than going online, listen carefully to the long recorded greeting, which provides instructions for common scenarios. You can leave a message to get a return call.
The group also has a Facebook page, but warns on its website that imposters have pretended to be affiliated with it; be sure you are on the group’s official page before contacting it via social media.
Auwe
Auwe to the driver of a tan truck who exhibited road rage at 3 p.m. July 23. We made a right turn from King Street onto Houghtailing Street. We went into the left lane not realizing his truck had also made a turn and he began blasting his horn. He then came alongside our car and began yelling at us to stay in our lane, followed by swearing and flipping us off. He then drove his truck into our lane, blocking us. He kept yelling for us to go around him. This went on for a few minutes, as he kept yelling, swearing and flipping us off. We were calling the police when we sped off. You should show some aloha before you cause an accident. Luckily there were no passengers in your truck to witness such abhorrent behavior. — A reader
Mahalo
On July 19, I went to Times Supermarket in the late afternoon to buy milk. To my surprise, a good Samaritan in front of me paid for my grocery. Thank you for your kindness. You made my day. May good fortune come your way. — A volunteer
Mahalo
Thank you to a man in a wheelchair on Aug. 2 about 9 a.m. He paid for our purchase from Starbucks at Pearlridge Center. My little grandson was so touched by your kindness. We are thankful to see aloha displayed. It was a beautiful day because of your gesture! — Corrine
Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
