Without Home

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  Wai’anae, HI
  
  November 19, 2015
  
  Each morning, 19 year old Adam Naki has something to do. On weekdays, she has to haul her own water to the Waianae Boat Harbor to make sure she can wash dishes, have drinking water, and shower. Another chore she has to do is make sure her generator is working in order to get electricity to charge her fan, and other electric appliances.
  
  The reason Adam has to deal with these small domestic labors, is because she is one of 3.5 million homeless in the world.
  
  For the state of Hawai’i, at least 6,300 people are homeless on any given day. Though their reasons may vary; i.e. unemployment, high cost of living, one thing is certain- they do not have a permanent residence. Adam herself has moved 12 times before finally settling at Hale ‘A’Ole in Waianae.
  
  Hale ‘A’ole translates to “without home” from the Hawaiian word ‘Hale’ which means home, and ‘‘A’ole’, which means “no”. Currently, the land that is being occupied by the Hale ‘A’ole members is owned by the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
  
  While being homeless wasn’t what they had planned, residents believe it’s a good place.
  
  “This community needs to be united to function well...living in this community...coming together...everybody has to get along,” said Adam Naki.
  
  According to National Alliance to End Homelessness, Hawaii has the highest number of homeless people relative to their population. It’s an issue that has divided the state for a while now.
  
  “There’s not enough Section 8 vouchers, there’s not enough public housing units, there’s not enough low cost rentals out there. So people are just cycling back, either they’re back homeless, back in the shelter,” said District 21 State Senator Maile Shimabukuro.
  
  “One of the things we’re looking at really is trying to support people transitioning off the streets and beaches and directly into housing.” said State Homeless Coordinator Scott Morishige.
  
  “The government cannot do this alone, this really requires a unified community approach. I think that’s how we can bring our different resources together to address this issue that’s facing our state.”
  
  For everyone at the state, these solutions are still a work in progress. In the meantime, Hale ‘A’Ole is doing what they see fit.
  
  “To me, you gotta set morals out here. It’s no different than being in a house.” said Hale ‘A’ole community leader, Twinkle Borge.
  
  Until the nation can come to a consensus on addressing homelessness, Hale ‘A’Ole remains a safe haven for those with no place to go. For now, this is Adam’s place somewhere she can temporarily call home.
  
  “How you know if it’s home is if it’s your sanctuary, if you feel that you’re want to be there.” said Adam.