December 27 – In a November newsletter, State Representative Gene Ward published a map of homeless’ whereabouts in Hawaii Kai. Several weeks later, it sparked the outrage of individuals and organizations, including the American Civil Liberties’ Union (ACLU) which expressed its concern in the following statement:
Publishing a map of “reported homeless events” in public areas only serves to move us further away from addressing the causes of homelessness. Instead, it is an open invitation to further profile, dehumanize and harass those that have nowhere to go except our parks, sidewalks and shared public spaces. The Constitution protects the rights of the poor and homeless against government policies that target them unfairly or criminalize their mere existence.
Despite strife on both sides, all concede that to date no prohibited actions have taken place. [HNN]
December 25 – Hiker dies after being rescued Christmas morning on Koko Crater trail. The man was found in cardiac arrest. [Star-Advertiser]
December 23 – Man dies after being found unresponsive in waters at Hanauma Bay [KHON]
December 20 – Three ambitious Kalani High students will conduct sophisticated astronomical research using some of the world’s most powerful telescopes. The aspiring astronomers were awarded time to use two Maunakea observatories as a part of the Maunakea Scholars program. [HI DOE]
Publishing a map of “reported homeless events” in public areas only serves to move us further away from addressing the causes of homelessness. Instead, it is an open invitation to further profile, dehumanize and harass those that have nowhere to go except our parks, sidewalks and shared public spaces. The Constitution protects the rights of the poor and homeless against government policies that target them unfairly or criminalize their mere existence.