I am one of the students of Ka Makani Kaiaulu 'O Wai'anae which went to witness the eviction happening at "Rails" today (07/19/10). Witnessing the homeless people and families being evicted was a very sad thing to see. You could see the emotions that they were going through off the looks on their faces, but you could only imagine how they must have felt unless you have gone through that yourself. The saying, " I know how you feel" could not have been said there today, because honestly, you wouldn't know how THEY feel. When most people passes "Rails," they would see it as a dirty area where a bunch of homeless
people live. Fortunately we've gotten the privilege to meet and listen to some of the stories of the people living there.We got to hear some of the struggles that they are and were facing. Most people have negative thoughts and things to say about them, but I see them as people of our community who has been put into a hard time in their life. I feel that WE as a part of the same community must support and be more considerate to EVERYONE in our community because we share the same home. Equality, Respect and Aloha are only some of the things that we must have in order for our community to become a better place. There was one thing said by a homeless woman at "Rails" which had really touched me. She said that one of her daughters had asked her where they were gonna go, and she said, "wherever The Lord will take this feet." I could see how she stayed positive while she was in a negative time by striving and depending on FAITH, and I respected her for that. What I want the state to realize is that evicting homeless people is NOT getting rid of the problem, but only creating more. They must find other ways to malama this 'aina and the people who live on it.
I am one of the students of Ka Makani Kaiaulu 'O Wai'anae which went to witness the eviction happening at "Rails" today (07/19/10). Witnessing the homeless people and families being evicted was a very sad thing to see. You could see the emotions that they were going through off the looks on their faces, but you could only imagine how they must have felt unless you have gone through that yourself. The saying, " I know how you feel" could not have been said there today, because honestly, you wouldn't know how THEY feel. When most people passes "Rails," they would see it as a dirty area where a bunch of homeless 
people live. Fortunately we've gotten the privilege to meet and listen to some of the stories of the people living there.We got to hear some of the struggles that they are and were facing. Most people have negative thoughts and things to say about them, but I see them as people of our community who has been put into a hard time in their life. I feel that WE as a part of the same community must support and be more considerate to EVERYONE in our community because we share the same home. Equality, Respect and Aloha are only some of the things that we must have in order for our community to become a better place. There was one thing said by a homeless woman at "Rails" which had really touched me. She said that one of her daughters had asked her where they were gonna go, and she said, "wherever The Lord will take this feet." I could see how she stayed positive while she was in a negative time by striving and depending on FAITH, and I respected her for that. What I want the state to realize is that evicting homeless people is NOT getting rid of the problem, but only creating more. They must find other ways to malama this 'aina and the people who live on it.
maikaʻi and mahalo for sharing Kahaku. your post relays the importance of community and the kind of values we need. your vision and spirit will change perceptions people have about Waiʻanae, especially those who live there. malama pono
ReplyDeleteMahalo, Kahaku for your words and for standing up for and speaking to a vision of community that holds extends respect and aloha to everyone.
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