HOMELESSNESS The homeless population in Kalihi has grown steadily over recent years. Hawaii has the nation’s rate per capita for homelessness with 490 homeless per 100,000 people. While there are shelters and programs to help the homeless, there are far fewer beds than needed; only about 550 beds a night. 4,900 out of the 7,620 homeless are actually sheltered, while the rests live on the streets (Bussewitz). Most of these homeless people live in Kalihi due to the homeless shelters and soup kitchens located in Kalihi. The homeless consists of mostly Native Hawaiians, Micronesians, other Pacific Islanders, and Caucasians (Hofschneider). Some of the homeless in Kalihi suffer from severe mental illness or substance abuse, which causes the state
