Free Republic

Gov. David Ige on Thursday extended an emergency proclamation to deal with Hawaii's homelessness crisis. The extension gives the state and counties more flexibility in how they complete shelters, micro-housing and other projects to address homelessness. [...] Hawaii has the largest rate of homeless people per capita of any state in the nation, with 7,260 homeless people in Hawaii at the latest count. ...

WAIANAE, Hawaii — Bert Bustamante and his family look as if they are enjoying a vacation at the beach, with kids swimming in the ocean, fish frying on the grill and radio music floating in the air. A closer look, though, reveals the truth: Life on the beach is about all Bustamante and his neighbors have. They are homeless in paradise. Just up the coast from a major luxury resort, at least 725 homeless people _ by one community group's count _ are living on a 16-mile stretch of Oahu's western shore, a pristine beach where oceanfront lots would cost...

The swimmers and their supporters say it was the jeering from seal boosters — not maternal skittishness — that caused the seals to bolt for the open ocean. The swimmers "were not a bunch of riff-raff people," said Jean Perry, who was on the beach and supported the demonstration. "These are people who really care. We were representing the children and their right to use the pool." Perry is pessimistic about the summit. She noted that a similar session was held five years ago without success. "The same people who allowed this craziness to happen are going to be sitting...