Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie Asks Public To Report Local Homelessness

There are dedicated phone numbers to report a wide variety of social problems -- such as animal cruelty, domestic violence, and child abuse, to name a few.

Hawaii's adding one more to the list: homelessness.

Government officials in Hawaii are asking the public to call hotlines and report local homelessness. They told KHON2 News that participating service agencies will be notified of the location and description of those in need, which will then send representatives to help.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie said that this strategy would help people become more involved in helping their neighbors get back on their feet. He told the Star Advertiser:

"There's nothing more demoralizing in the community than to see someone obviously in need and not know what to do about it."

Rob Zukerkorn, a homeless person in Hawaii, says that providing contact information is not enough. He told KHON2 News that the root of the problem is being ignored.

"It all boils down to one thing -- drugs. 99.9 percent of the people are out here because of the drugs and that's why they are homeless."

Marc Alexander, Abercrombie's homeless coordinator, announced this social initiative as a precursor to a more extensive program set to begin. Alexander told KHON2 News that a 90-day "homelessness plan" will be unveiled after the state's current legislative session has ended.

WATCH:

Comments

[Uosdwis]

03:45 PM on 05/01/2011

Can we get a verification on that, "99.9% of it is drugs?" Because I'm drug-free, and if ANYONE homeless can get in a shelter, in HAWAII, alls I need is a plane ticket..

[Jason Vineyard]

01:09 PM on 04/28/2011

This is the true face of globalization in America, Land of the Free.

[TeeLeaf]

12:28 AM on 04/28/2011

It's great to identify the homeless to provide services to, but what is being done to reduce the number of homeless?