Page 2 - MidWeek - March 29, 2023

2 MIDWEEK MARCH 29, 2023
Trajectories Reconsidered
“The right to choose your own path is a sacred privilege. Use it.”
— Oprah Winfrey
YIn Pursuit Of Housing
“I’m going to steal your girlfriend!” Ross’s words, as intended, distract Doris’s boyfriend while Ross’s friend, Mark, sweeps Doris onto the dance floor. Ross is acting on Mark’s (joking?) comment months earlier, that Doris was
ou can’t do justice to a complex situation like homelessness in a single, overly simplistic column. But as great opportunities are apparent these days
ing smoke from the Twin Towers on 9/11. Ultimately, they are grateful to have held hands with the one they love through that anguish. But it might not have turned out that way.
in funding, partnerships and commitment at the all-im- portant government level, here are a few basic thoughts to encourage more reflection, vigorous discussion and action.
the woman he would marry. Doris was “dragged” to this class by her boyfriend of five years; Mark signed up simply to bide time before departing for medical school in Israel. Both trajectories are about to
After a ballroom dance, Doris learns there’s joy to be had and adventure to be found in deviating from the same old routine.
“Housing first” is a wonderful concept — sometimes. It must be accompanied simultaneously, relentlessly and pas- sionately with myriad social work components: counseling, mentoring, medical oversight, education, job training, finan- cial planning, etc. Numerous cities, domestic and abroad, have alleviated much of their homelessness via intense preparation and committed follow-through under the head- ing of housing first. Agencies tasked to work alongside the government must be held accountable, but also must be fully and continuously funded, including administrative services.
get rattled.
As Mark swirls Doris
ed race. In her quandary, she can’t sleep and loses weight. Mark suggests some consider- ations: After good years with her current boyfriend, why fix what isn’t broken? Choosing Mark would mean significant separation while he’s in Isra- el. The more Mark “helps,” the fonder Doris becomes of him, and the harder it seems to stay with same ol’ , same ol’, the way she thinks she is supposed to.
It’s just the nudge Doris needs to make a decision she’s never regretted; she breaks up with her boyfriend.
A moment’s choice had momentous effects because Doris and Mark had the cour- age to use their sacred privi- lege to deviate from same ol’.
As my cohort Kimo so wisely points out, we need more YIMBY-ism (“Yes, in my backyard”) and less of the ev- er-present NIMBY-ism (“Not in my backyard”). Local communities need to do their (small) part to help resolve this problem in a way that makes sense for any given neigh- borhood. We need to stop thinking it’s “their” problem somewhere else. A little bit of help and empathy from a lot of areas could make a big dent and provide productive, long-term answers.
around the ballroom, his ele- gant spins and swoops wrap her heart around his. By the time the teacher snaps, “Time to switch partners!” Doris is smitten by the dancing Prince Charming.
While Mark is in Israel, he and Doris share details about their childhoods and youth and hopes for the future (in 1,275 letters and in $1.25-per-min- ute phone calls). You actually come to know a person better that way than by seeing a movie or having dinner, Mark claims.
Renée Tillotson is director of Still & Moving Center in Kaka‘ako. She has studied the teachings of theosophy for over four decades, and appre- ciates that it draws on com- mon themes from the world’s great traditions — religious, philosophic and scientific.
Chasing The Light is pro- duced by Robin Stephens Rohr and Lynne Johnson.
A better understanding of the true number of homeless would be great. The number is not static. While the point- in-time count is a valuable tool, more points in time could provide a broader base from which to work. Some home- less live in cars and might not be counted at a given point; some fall in and out of homelessness based on financial or mental issues; others may be temporarily housed. It will cost more, but more frequent counting might help. It’s a huge determinant in funding and even in a location’s sense of progress. Are we doing better than last time? Let’s fine- tune this study (or studies).
SPEED BUMP
Now Doris faces a dilem- ma. A traditionally raised
Japanese-American girl bred to avoid conflict, she doesn’t want to hurt the guy she’s been dating. By comparison, Mark is a dark horse in an unexpect-
New Century Schoolbook bold (scaled H 73.6)
Finally, Mark’s friend Ross speaks up: “Mark really is the kind, compassionate, funny guy you think he is.”
Eventually, married and living in New York City, they welcome an infant son, then face the terror of smell-
We seem to be at an optimistic point in time to grow, push, support, fund and improve the plight of those in need and uplift our communities. Progress can occur through sustained efforts involving greater coordination. This path is a long, winding and rocky road. It’s time for more transi- tional housing, kauhale, and projects like Kahauiki Village on Nimitz Highway and Pu‘uhonua O Wai‘anae. More in- telligent land reclassification and more housing units with increased social services support are also needed for a sus- tained holistic approach. We got this. Think about it.
john@thinkaboutithawaii.com