Advocates push for sustained homeless support
HONOLULU — Hawaii nonprofit organizations and the state’s homeless coordinator warned about a surge in newly homeless families and the need to continue funding social service programs as the economy shrinks because of the coronavirus.
Governor’s Coordinator on Homelessness Scott Morishige said six months to a year after emergency government aid and prohibitions on rental evictions expire, the islands are likely to see a jump in homelessness that could last for years.
“It won’t be a one- or two-year spike,” Morishige said. “We’re likely to see a steady increase over time.”
The state’s homeless budget of more than $25 million per year depends on the state’s general fund, which is driven by tax revenue.
Laura Thielen, executive director of advocacy coalition Partners in Care, said a new generation of homeless families and adults could be even larger than the surge following America’s housing collapse that triggered the Great Recession.
“We are still living with those (budget) decisions,” Thielen said. “And we’re seeing more folks becoming potentially homeless than during the 2008 recession.”
Hawaii has made progress in reducing homelessness since the recession. The 2019 nationwide homeless census called the Point in Time Count resulted in Hawaii losing its ranking as the state with the highest per capita rate of homelessness.
“We know that if they cut programs, homelessness is going to go up significantly, and it’s going to be a drag on our economy and state for many, many months to come,” said Paul Normann, executive director of Neighborhood Place of Puna, which operates family support and disaster recovery programs.
Prosecutors deny supervised release in Maui drug case
WAILUKU, Maui — Prosecutors left bail at $250,000 for a man police said was in possession of a loaded revolver, drugs and cash after searching his residence and vehicle.
Prosecutors denied the request of 37-year-old Baltazar Tateyama to be released on supervision after his attorney said he didn’t have the money to post bail.
Tateyama was arrested in March after police recovered a half-pound of methamphetamine, 3.5 ounces of heroin, a loaded .45-caliber revolver and more than $10,000, authorities said.
Tateyama pleaded not guilty to the charges including promoting a dangerous drug, being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing drug paraphernalia. He said he was not willing to waive his right to a speedy trial.
“The defendant is a violent felon,” deputy prosecutor Tracy Jones said, referring to 20 previous convictions including 11 felonies offenses such as burglary and assault on a law enforcement officer.
Second Circuit Judge Kelsey Kawano referred to his “extensive prior criminality” and the serious charges he faces, in maintaining his bail.
The next hearing is scheduled for May 26.
Campaign urges proper protective gear disposal
LIHUE, Kauai — Environmental groups joined a campaign to bring attention to discarded personal protective equipment that is adding to plastic pollution on shorelines worldwide amid the coronavirus pandemic, advocates said.
Federal and state governments advised people to wear masks in public to protect themselves and others against the coronavirus, but masks, gloves and other equipment are not always properly disposed of.
Personal protective equipment can be mistaken as food by birds, turtles and marine mammals and can put animals at risk, the Surfrider Foundation Kauai chapter said in a statement, adding that these used items could also be carrying pathogens and contributing to the spread of COVID-19.