Ask the Mayor: What is Being Done to Help the Working Homeless?

Shopping carts used by homeless individuals in the vacant lot next to the Family Life Center in Kahului. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Mayor Alan Arakawa answers some of the questions submitted to his office staff.

Submit your own questions about County of Maui programs, services, operations or policies to Mayor Alan Arakawa via email at AskTheMayor@mauicounty.gov, call 270-7855 or send them by mail to 200 S. High St., 9th Floor, Wailuku, HI 96793. Questions submitted will be considered for inclusion in the “Ask the Mayor” column.

Aloha Mayor Arakawa:

Q: While I realize that many homeless on the island are vagrants, I also know there are many working-class homeless who genuinely need help to get back on their feet again.

What is being done to assist these needy, homeless individuals and families?

A: The annual Patrick Foyler Health Fair for the homeless will be held on Thursday, Nov. 17, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Salvation Army in Kahului.  The event includes free health checks, food and giveaways for those in need.

The health fair is part of a week-long series of events during National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week, which we will kick off Monday with a proclamation at my office and a presentation at the West Maui Taxpayer’s Association community meeting.

The week-long observance is being planned by the Maui County Homeless Alliance and will include other awareness-building activities, such as sign-waving, a candlelight vigil and a state conference on O‘ahu.

As one of many community partners in this multi-agency alliance, the county continues to work on short- and long-term solutions for our homeless population. These efforts will require the support of the community and funding from the County Council, as will measures previously introduced and currently being examined by the council.

Homelessness is an issue that affects everyone in our community, so it will take all of us working together to assist those who need help the most.