From shore to shore

We returned from a nice week in Hawaii and while there was all sorts of things to report about from volcanoes to vanilla plantations, they really aren't all that interesting. However, it was election season in Hawaii and it was interesting to see all the lawn signs and read the editorials about the election. And The Homeless Problem is a top of mind for everyone.

As we drove around O'ahu and walked along the shores, we noted a number of people in permanent emcampments on the beach and when we drove along the Leeward Coast, we were totally amazed at the huge number of tents serving as homes. A little research confirmed these were the Homeless of the Problem and apparently are about 60% native Hawaiians. A number of Solutions have been proposed, including the Governor's tardy State of Emergency, providing Housing First solutions and converting military barracks into compounds ... err, make that "shelters". Even one forsighted Republican representative suggested the state invest in one way tickets to the mainland for these folks so they could live in affordable places like Louisville. Damn white of her.

Back in Pacifica the beach continues to be accumulating dead seals and dolphins. There seems to be some parallel but I'm not exactly sure how to draw it with care and feeling.