i L i n d . n e t

I had trouble reading the Advertiser’s story on the upcoming beach evictions in Nanakuli. I agree with the sentiment that the beaches should be available to all, and know that we bristle when temporary encampments appear on the beach in Kaaawa.

But the story makes clear that there are no alternatives available to be offered to those now facing eviction or arrest.

The cleanup will be the first along the coastline since a similar, successful operation at the homeless encampment at Ma’ili Beach Park in March 2007.

But at that time there were two recently opened area emergency shelters where the homeless families could go. This time, service providers say those shelters are full and the best they can do is put the homeless on waiting lists and advise them of their options.

That looks like a huge hole in our public policy. Criminalizing people who can’t find a spot in the overheated housing market seems to be a form of unnecessary cruelty.

Leslie Wilcox’s recent interview with local musician and songwriter Paula Fuga touched on her experience living in a homeless village at Waimanalo Beach. The interview is a reminder that stereotypes of the homeless may not convey the whole story.

When you were living on Waimanalo Beach, what was it like? Did you feel deprived? Did you think, you know, ‘How come I can’t live in a house like the other kids?’ or ‘How come I don’t have the newest things?’ Anything like that?

No, not really, because before I lived on the beach, I was living with aunts and my grandparents. But we just missed — my sister and I, we just missed my mom so much that we didn’t care about living in a house. It didn’t seem like, you know, a burden or anything to live on the beach because you come home, and it’s like, there’s the ocean, you know. You get to go swimming and play with all these kids. Like I didn’t think there was anything wrong. Only when we were teased about it; that’s about it.

Let’s see. House Bill 2557 would establish a reporters’ shield law in Hawaii. As written, it would protect certain journalists against having to disclose confidential sources or produce notes or unpublished materials in most, but not all, legal proceedings.

Those eligible for this protection would include “A journalist or newscaster presently or previously employed or otherwise associated with any newspaper, magazine, news agency, press association, wire service, or radio or television transmission station or network….”

The same protections would be available to “any individual who can properly establish that the individuals has complied with and met applicable standards of journalism ethics.”

Those not eligible for protection under this bill, including most bloggers, would have to shield themselves the old fashioned way in the unlikely event of getting into this kind of legal mess. That means hiring a lawyer and using other legal arguments to fight off subpoenas, something that apparently has been happening every year, although typically behind the scenes.

Introducers of this HB2557 are a bipartisan lineup of Blake Oshiro, Kirk Caldwell, Glenn Wakai, Gene Ward, and Tommy Waters. Waters and Oshiro are chair and vice-chair of the Judiciary Committee, the sole referral for the bill, virtually guaranteeing a hearing, at which time it could face substantial amendments. However, because it only requires a single committee review, don’t expect it to come up for a hearing until bills the committee has dealt with multiple referral bills that have a tighter timetable.

There is a similar bill in the Senate, but the House bill with its weighty sponsors appears to be the most likely vehicle.

If you’ve got a fast Internet connection and a few minutes to spare, you can check out my 2007-The Movie. It’s just a rapid fire slide show of photos that appeared on this page during the past year. But take note–it’s a large Quicktiime movie file so you probably don’t want to try this on a dial-up connection.

Finally, here are a couple of photos taken yesterday morning on two ends of our morning walk at dawn. The fisherman was on the far end of the beach, while the very rural looking scene with the chickens was just around the corner from home. As usual, you can click for a larger version.