Homelessness in Hawaii
In every state in the US, there is growing frustration over the increased number of homeless people sleeping on the sidewalks as well as parks. The growing cost of living has it difficult for certain groups to afford to house since the cost of housing is no longer affordable. The US increasingly becomes a homeless nation with over half a million people declared homeless by 2015 (Fox News, 2015). It is a major concern for the federal government being that housing is a basic necessity. The government plays a critical role in ensuring that citizens are accorded decent housing. However, there are concerns over the cost of housing with New York City almost reaching a landmark figure of homeless people. Other states are equally on the mark for growing number of homeless people filling the streets and the parks around the city. Hawaii has often been taken the image of a paradise. However, the growing population of the homeless is critically robbing the city its image. According to statistics, there were 487 approximately 487 in every 100,000 residents. Also, out of the homeless population, only 219 were sheltered (Cocke, 2015). However, the rest were unsheltered. In the view of The National Health Care for the Homeless Council asserts that health issues are the major contributor to homelessness. In the assertion, communicable diseases are also on the rise. According to Partners in Care (PIT), an Oahu-based organization, 993 homeless people suffer from mental illnesses; 48 suffer from HIV/AIDS, and 771 suffer from drug abuse disorders. In a bid to support the homeless, Department of Human Services and Hawaii Public Health Institute HPHI offer free medical services and clinics that take of the health issues facing the homeless. According to Hooper Pono Organization’s leader Laulani Teale, there is an urgent need for government to address economic inequality if cure homelessness (Bussewitz, 2015).
In my view, the federal government and state agencies should give it an economic approach in which the homeless are empowered economically to be able to afford to house. It is important that the culture of dependence is discouraged and that can only work if the government finds a place for the homeless in the economic processes.
References
Bussewitz, C. (2015). Retrieved from http://bigstory.ap.org/article/abbf8650cad5464d83a2345357d3b056/homelessness-hawaii-grows-defying-image-paradise.
Cocke, S. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.civilbeat.com/2015/01/new-maps-chart-homeless-across-the-nation-hawaii-ranks-1/
Fox News. (2015). Homelessness in Hawaii grows, defying image of paradise | Fox News. Retrieved May 04, 2016, from http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/11/08/homelessness-in-hawaii-grows-defying-image-paradise.html
Human Trafficking in Hawaii
Human trafficking is a critical public health issue that not only affects Hawaii but the entire US. There is no denial that the growing spate migration that has rocked the Asian nations provides a haven for smuggling of humans. Since the escalation of the Syrian War, America has received several immigrants from Asia and other parts of the world. Several concerns have risen regarding the undue advantage that traffickers get over genuine businesses. The use of cheap and forced labor is obviously profitable to the pursuant (Zimmerman, 2014). However, such moves earn them undue advantage over their counterparts who rely on legal labor that is acceptable within the confines of the law. The issue of child trafficking offers a rich history that dates to the epoch of slavery. As noted by experts, human trafficking forms the modern form of slave trade. The victims are engaged in forced economic affairs through brinkmanship and authoritarianism (Alliesagainstslavery.org). As a result, they are subdued by the miniature and combative mannerism in which there services are required. In Hawaii, there are notable cases of child trafficking in Oahu farms where Asian trafficking victims render their slave-like services to the vegetable farmers (Pedsadvocacy.com). The investigation by the US Department of Labor forced noted elements of trafficking that forced the Fat Law Farm to $428,800 as back wages to the workers for subjecting them to conditions synonymous with slavery (Zimmerman, 2014). Also, in the commercial fishing sector, The State Department reported exploitative business involving aliens in the coastal and inland fishing industry. Investigations by The State Department revealed that aliens are often smuggled into Hawaii by luring them with approximately $10,000 each. Once they come in, they are subjected to unsanitary working conditions that go against fundamental human rights. To solve the problem, the State Department of Labor should come in and speak to the workers as well as investigate their masters to ascertain the veracity of such suspicion so that legal action can be taken against anyone found guilty of trafficking.
References
Alliesagainstslavery.org. Slavery still exists. Retrieved from: http://www.alliesagainstslavery.org/slavery
Pedsadvocacy.com. Child Trafficking: A public health concern. Retrieved from: https://pedsadvocacy.com/2015/04/07/child-trafficking-a-public-health-concern/
Zimmerman, M. (2014). Rise in human trafficking impacts Hawaii. Retrieved May 04, 2016, from http://www.hawaiireporter.com/rise-in-human-trafficking-impacts-hawaii
