Kama to hold meetings on homeless issues, measure

Council Member Tasha Kama, whose measure to ban the offering of food or money to homeless people on county property drew public criticism earlier this week, will be holding meetings next week to consider alternatives and to explain her proposal.

The council Affordable Housing Committee, which she chairs, will be meeting at 9 a.m. Monday to hear two possible approaches to addressing problems related to unsheltered people in the community.

The Community Outreach Court on Oahu, which is based on national models, will be one of the alternatives discussed. The court offers a collaborative process designed to assist homeless people in addressing violations of state and local laws and ordinances while emphasizing the providing of appropriate social services rather than punishment.

First Circuit District Court Judge Lendio Heim, Oahu Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Mark Tom and a representative of the Public Defenders Office are expected to participate in the meeting.

The committee also will hear from Lawrence Kauha‘aha‘a on the “Clean and Safe” program in Wailuku town and requests to expand the program to Paia, Lahaina and Kahului. The program, which is funded by a county grant, hires homeless and mental health clients to sweep, clean and maintain the area.

The meeting can be viewed on Akaku Maui Community Media Channel 53 or online at www.mauicounty.us/agendas.

At 5:30 p.m. Nov. 24, Kama will hold a community question and answer session via the online BlueJeans platform. The session will include

a discussion on options for addressing issues arising from encampments of homeless people and the encouragement of services to prepare them for shelter and eventual permanent housing.

Kama also will explain the rationale for the recently filed legislation addressing distribution of food and goods and the promotion of wrap-around services.

Requests to attend this meeting can be sent by email to invi tation-feeding-bill@mauicoun ty.us. Registered attendees will receive an email response with a link to attend the meeting.