Hawaii To Buy 1-Way Flights For Homeless People To Keep Them Away From Tourists

[mfcorey1]

The Aloha State is saying goodbye to some of its homeless residents with one-way tickets to the Lower 48.

According to Civil Beat, Hawaii's Institute for Human Services (IHS) is launching a $1.3 million initiative to fight homelessness, but parts of the plan have raised some eyebrows. The state is aiming to fly 120 homeless people living in Waikiki, a tourist hotspot in Honolulu, back to the continental U.S., while also allocating funds for a public relations campaign discouraging homeless people living on the mainland from moving to the state -- a move some say contradicts Hawaii's usual warm welcome to visitors.

"We found out that many (Waikiki homeless) are transient who made a choice to become homeless, as well as people who became homeless shortly after arriving in Hawaii," Kimo Carvalho, development and community relations manager for IHS, told Civil Beat. He noted a glamorized and inaccurate depiction of homelessness in Hawaii has enticed many individuals to choose that lifestyle over other options, causing problems for Waikiki businesses that have argued homelessness in the area hurts tourism.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/04/hawaii-one-way-flights-homeless_n_6101274.html?utm_hp_ref=impact

[msongs]

1. good idea for people who came here and got stuck for one reason or another....

and there are probably quite a few who were not prepared for the high cost of living, shortage of liveable income jobs, or got into the pot/alcohol good time vibe. for them, a ticket "home" may be fine

[davidpdx]

2. Are they going to allow the person to choose where they are going or

put them all on the cheapest flights home? I'm sure some of the mayors of major hubs like San Diego, Dallas, Denver, etc. would have something to say about it if they are going to get more homeless from Hawaii.