HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0067.022 2024-2026January 29, 2025
Aloha, my name is Loke Davis. I am a resident of downtown Hilo, commenting on Resolution 46-25. On 01/29/25 Big
Island Now published an article highlighting the $10.5 million appropriation for homeless services this year. I am
requesting that the council give intentional consideration to three points/calls to action mentioned in the article for
both current and future cycles of this funding:
1. Reconsideration of new program proposals.
2. Separate funding resolutions for existing vs new programs.
3. A comprehensive, independent audit of all programs/organizations receiving county funds, evaluating
efficacy of operations (notjust numbers/"results").
As a resident of Downtown Hilo, I frequently call Neighborhood Place of Puna on behalf of my unhoused neighbors
who are in need/search of services. Each time the very friendly associate takes the prospective client's information
and assures me that their staff will try to connect with him/her when they do their outreach on Wednesdays and
Thursdays. Thankfully sometimes that's the same day I've called. Sometimes it's in a week. If I call on a weekend, I
leave a message and wait for a callback the following week. Most recently I lent my phone to an unhoused neighbor,
Isaiah, who vocalized that he was desperate for immediate help/services (not exaggerating here, these were his
words, summarized). This time when the receptionist informed us that their staff would be conducting outreach/look
for him in a week, he said, "if I'm alive by then." Later, when we inquired about how to help Isaiah get access to his
own cell phone, the gist of the response was: you need a phone to get a phone, and I, as a random person, wasn't
"allowed" to support him through the process of securing one. I saw Isaiah around for a few more days after that, but
unfortunately stopped seeing him before Neighborhood Place of Puna's scheduled outreach.
Let me be clear - I'm very thankful for organizations like Neighborhood Place of Puna which provide services and
work to secure long-term housing for homeless people. However, my direct (and admittingly limited) experience with
their outreach services and some of their nonsensical intake/assessment policies/protocols makes me question the
efficacy of their operations. I share this anecdote not to bash Neighborhood Place of Puna, but to underscore the
need for a comprehensive, independent audit of all programs and organizations receiving county funds.
Also worth mentioning is that I highly respect Sharon Hirota's successor Kehaulani Costa and request that she be at
the table for any future decisions related to any of the above.
Mahalo for your service and time.
Comnri. Nok U •
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