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| James "Kimo" Rosen is a retired professional photographer whom recently started using an iphone and taking pictures with it. The above photo of Rosen's best friend Obama Da Dog was shot with an iphone-6. Rosen currently resides on the tropical island of Kauasi with his best friend Obama Da Dog! |
Editor's note;
This blog also appeared in today's (10-08-15) edition of the Honolulu Staradvertiser. The Starsdvertiser has a paywall, so it is copy and pasted below; Read the blog since the Staradvertiser did not allow me to copy in full!
http://staradvertiser.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx
Libraries are ‘secret homeless shelters’
Where I live, the libraries have turned into free computer rooms, cheap DVD rental stores and a haven for the homeless to wash up and get rest.
Plus, librarians no longer tell people to “shhh”; everyone seems to be talking in loud voices, not whispers.
Many homeless get shut-eye while burying their head in a newspaper and pretending to read. They need a place to wash and go to the bathroom. Since shelters are few and far between, libraries have become pseudo homeless shelters.
I like to call libraries “secret homeless shelters.”
There is not the need for the average citizen to do research at the libraries. Most have Google at their fingertips. The Internet can deliver books, music and movies directly to our mobile devices.
Everything changes. There is nothing wrong with what libraries have become, but it’s a far cry from what they once were. James “Kimo” Rosen
Special Homeless edition of Kimo's world #91
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| The noise looks like an owl, look close! ;-) |
Where I live the Libraries have turned into free computer rooms, cheap DVD rental stores and a haven for the homeless to wash up and get rest. Plus librarians no longer tell people to Shhh, everyone seems to be talking in loud voices, not whispers.
Many homeless will get shut-eye while burying their head in a newspaper and pretending to read. The homeless need a place to wash and go to the bathroom. Since shelters are few and far between libraries have become pseudo homeless shelters.
I like to call libraries, secret homeless shelters.
There is not the need for the average citizen to do research at the libraries. Most have Google at their finger tips. Google can deliver books, music and movies directly to your mobile devices.
Everything changes, there is nothing wrong with what libraries have become, but sure is a far cry from what they once where.
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| My blog appeared in the states largest newspaper! |
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18 comments:
I stopped going to the SB library...
they had comfortable chairs where the HOMELESS SLEPT -
but the problem - the whole placed smelled like
unwashed underwear….
I want to commend the libraries for helping the homeless. They need all the help they can get since the city has been sweeping them before the shelters are ready to take them.
I totally agree, Harmony... When I was living outdoors for many years, I called the library my office. The point of the article was these times they are a changin! wink emoticon
Interesting about the homeless and the libraries that you so well write about. But we have over 500 homeless here on Kauai and not one administration since I have been here wants to address the problem. We have the homeless right on the grounds in front of the Historical County Building that use the building bathroom facilities and even use the hoses around the building to shower---deplorable.
Some even come into the council meetings and when the problem was on the agenda several of them gave very good testimonies.
It is a huge problem (look at the mess it has made on Oahu and in many other cities around the US.) but MUST be properly addressed and cannot just being ignored and think it will disappear.
For me each individual has to be interviewed and see why they are homeless and see what can be done to help them. Some are junkies, alcoholics or just want to live on the beach even if offered a place to stay. But we have to have a proper shelter for most of them to stay like a tent type city with beds, fences for security, bath rooms and eating facilities. If they are physically fit I believe they (as well as KCCC inmates) should be made to do community service or some kind of rehab work to get back into the mainstream and pay back the tax payers aid.
Just my thoughts Kimo. Keep up the fine writing.
Aloha Glenn,
Great point about the homeless in front of the county building and using the facilities, somewhat ironic and a good potential letter for you to penn to TGI?
The Staradvertiser has a strict policy of 150 words or less. it's more challenging trying to say what you want in only 150 words.
Did you consider yourself homeless when you were living in a tent?
I never liked being referred to as Homeless. I liked the term 'houseless.' Many people with houses are homeless in their souls. There are millionaires that commit suicide that have beautiful homes. Home for me was outdoors, that's where I needed to be at the time, It was therapeutic. Others believed I was homeless, not me! wink emoticon
The true facts of sweeping the streets with out having available shelter is 100% false. The laws state prior notification for the sweep (I think 72 hours) and addresses for available shelter. (available not filled to capacity) This has been true for Honolulu just watch the news in the morning. Note it appears that many homeless choose not to seek available openings in shelters. I will take better understanding of everyone to make this transition. And a honest effort by homeless to improve their quality of life. Being homeless is often a personal choice. Second when you group Libraries as helping homeless that statement opens the doors for schools, childrens museums, parking garages, city / municipal buildings. How about opening your front door and allow them access to your home? I bet the tone changes when they camp on your front lanai.
Many of the homeless cannot go to the currently available shelters because they don't accept pets. They have acquired their pets as protection when they are forced to live in the open. The new shelter at Sand Island will accept pets. I wish it could hurry up and open.
Many homeless do not like shelters, many have phobias about sleeping with a roof and walls around them. I was actually like that at one time. I wanted to look at the stars and not have any noisy neighbors. I actually squatted behind an old cemetery. I tell people those were my favorite neighbors I ever had. I still prefer sleeping outdoors, but for health reasons i have adapted to society. Get 30 acres let all these people pitch tents, grow gardens, fruit trees and help each other. O f course have rules but I believe making it positivre verses taxpayer monies to herd them out would be a start to something BIG!
Another problem with many current shelters is they kick you out in the day & have a curfew at night. How can it be any sort of home if you can't come & go as you please?
They don't want you to get too comfortable, it's suppose to be a temporarily fix to help while you try and get your life together. They want you out in the days preferably looking for work or trying to "better oneself"....
I heard they want you out so they can clean.
If you stay for free, you should clean after yourself if you are able....
I have heard they also have to clean. Maybe some shelters have different hours.
I feel this conversation of being in the past say 20 years....just about how far behind the islands are behind the mainland. Don't mistake the old YWCA / YMCA with models to cover present day shelters. I think you need to recognize some shelter providers. They have counselors, therapists, nurses and ministers operating them. They hold you accountable and have curfews. Otherwise you can clump all together in a work release programs at the prisons. Build more prisons.... ya like that works.... One of the worst things from this conversation is the facts of "I thought" .... One day I heard someone mention the slums of Oakland, CA. Next I'll here we shouldn't keep trying to resettle the New Orleans people in they're slums again. To many people have the mindset of 1950. The "NIMBY" is the problem..... We have become a nation of entitlements for the wealthy .... no wonder they say, "haole go home".
You know what they used to say: "At the library, Shhh Happens!"
Yes it does, if you look at my blog, the meme is part of the blog! wink emoticon
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