Homeless, But Enjoying Hawaii On $3 A Day

[Blue_Tires]

A tourist in Hawaii spends an average of $200 a day for a hotel room, meals and entertainment. But there's another class of visitors given room and board, full health care benefits and more for just $3 a day. It's not a luxury vacation package — just homeless benefits courtesy of Hawaii's taxpayers.

At the Sumner Homeless Men's Shelter in downtown Honolulu — less than a mile from Honolulu Harbor, where luxury cruise ships are docked — shelter operations assistant Alfred Ho'opi'i tells guests to line up for their lunch.

"The majority of people that I can see here are from the mainland," he says. "You have your locals, but not too many."

The meal is chopped beef steak with vegetables, mashed potatoes, bread, a fresh apple and cake. Ho'opi'i and his volunteers serve from 750 to 900 meals a day at the three shelters operated by the nonprofit Institute for Human Services.

The shelters' resident population has increased 10 percent in the past year, and one-third of all the guests — 1,300 annually — come from out of state.

Gary Phillips purchased a $400 airline ticket to Hawaii three months ago. He was homeless in San Diego for years, but is now earning cash from Hawaii's 5-cent redemption program for plastic bottles and aluminum cans.

"I recycle here," he says. "I make money doing that." Some days, over $40, he says.

And he sleeps at the IHS shelter for $3 a day, with three free meals, $200 worth of food stamps and the state's free health care program.

"I went to the dentist today, and I had a tooth pulled," Phillips says. "It cost me nothing."

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126675999

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. Good for Hawaii

It should be like this for our homeless in every state.

[HereSince1628]

3. +1

[whathehell]

10. Agreed...Plus 10. n/t

[jdlh8894]

2. Just one question

Why is he getting $200 worth of food stamps if he gets 3 free meals a day?

[Tailormyst]

4. For food outside the shelter?

5 bucks a day extra for food is not exactly a windfall in Hawaii.

[cdsilv]

5. Probably not supposed to (in TX folks in shelters are not supposed to get food stamps), but many do.

...as a dodge so they can have snacks, sodas, TP that actually works, etc.

Yes, 3 meals a day will keep one alive, but most often not comfortable.

[Javaman]

6. Because welfare is based on income. Or lack there of.

You have to understand something very basic.

In a world where people are treated like human beings, he would be considered normal, not the exception.

I'm glad he's getting the 200 clams, I'm glad he gets 3 squares a day and a place to sleep. I'm glad he gets free medical attention.

This is how it should be.

Or would you rather he live on the street with no money, various types of illnesses and no teeth?

[DevonRex]

8. "In a world where people are treated like human beings..."

Thank you.

[Bucky]

7. Keep in mind that's a monthly allowance of foodstamps. I doubt I could get by on that

Another reason to be homeless in Hawaii is what happens to homeless people when winter hits. I'm sure that's a big factor in people moving out there.

Anyway, food stamps are actually pretty good for the local economy. There's a lot stores in this down economy that are staying in business because of that sliver of economic aid.

[Donnachaidh]

9. if his income is under a certain amount, he is entitled to the food stamps

As is everyone else who is unemployed or under-employed.

I wish people were as quick about questioning CEO or politician perks as they are to jump on someone getting food stamps. :eyes: