Research Logs Combined

Research Log #1 - Solutionary Project 2020
Date: Feb 05, 2020

Name: Jee Koo
Essential Question: What factors lead to homelessness in Hawaii?
Three Points to Prove: #1: There is a drug epidemic amongst the homeless in Hawaii due to the
island’s shortage in resources.
#2: The homeless in Hawaii have insufficient access to healthcare.
#3: The prisoners in Hawaii often do not get discharged with a safety net.
Point that this Source Proves: # 1: There is a drug epidemic amongst the homeless in Hawaii
due to the island’s shortage in resources.
Excerpts:
“Part of the barrier for those people getting off the street frankly is that access to the basic drug
and alcohol treatment protocols that work is very, very, very limited,” said Institute for Human
Services Clinical Director Jerry Coffee.”
Service providers say the shortage is so bad even if a person wants to go to treatment, oftentimes
they’re not able to because the number of detox beds on Oahu is so limited.”
Across Oahu, public parks and sidewalks have turned into drug dens filled with people consumed
by their habit ― openly getting high.”
A report released by the Honolulu Medical Examiner’s Office shows of 374 unsheltered homeless
people who died over the past five years, close to half of those deaths are linked to effects of drug
use.”
Analysis:
++
This article provides insight on the shortage of resources In Hawaii that pertain to
prescription drugs/drug abuse and its factor on homelessness. There is a limited amount of
effective prescription drugs for those that need them, which leads these individuals (especially
those that are underprivileged) to resort to non-prescription drugs. They then focus on spending
their money on these drugs as a priority, which leads them to homelessness.
There is specific evidence in this article regarding the relationship between drug use and
homelessness. A quote from the article states that across Oahu, public parks and sidewalks have
turned into drug dens consumed by people openly getting high. This proves there is a drug
epidemic amongst the homeless. The article also states that resources to properly treat these
individuals are so limited that even when patients voluntarily seek help for their non-prescription
drug addiction, the number of detox beds on Oahu is very limited. This shows the homeless’
inability to seek treatment even if voluntarily requested. In addition, a report from the Honolulu
Medical Examiner’s Office shows that 374 unsheltered homeless people died over the past five
years, and close to half of those deaths were linked to the effects of drug usage. This proves there
is a correlation between drug usage and death rates amongst the homeless.
The shortage of resources in treating these individuals resorts them to illegal drug abuse and
the focusing of their money on its costs. In the long term, many wound up homeless, with close to
half the deaths of the homeless relating to drug usage. The limited resources for treatment options
in Hawaii is a concern that should be addressed by developing solutions to the shortage of effective
prescription drugs and detox beds to prevent further individuals from resorting to illegal drug abuse
and homelessness.
Works Cited:
Blair, Allyson. “Experts: Lack of Drug Treatment to Blame for Surge in Homeless Dying on
Streets.” Https://Www.hawaiinewsnow.com, 7 June 2019,
www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2019/06/07/experts-lack-drug-treatment-blame-surge-
homeless-dying-streets/.
This is a reputable and reliable article because it was published on Hawaii News Now, a credible
news channel.
Date: Feb. 10, 2020

Name: Jee Koo
Point that this Source Proves: # 2: The homeless in Hawaii have insufficient access to
healthcare.
Excerpts:
Homeless individuals suffer more health challenges than the general population and have
disproportionately high rates of premature death. Rates of hypertension, cardiac failure, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease, infections, diabetes, arthritis, and dental problems are higher in
homeless individuals than in the general population. Medical difficulties in the homeless are
compounded by higher rates of mental health disorders.”
The mortality rate of homeless individuals is 2 to 31 times greater than that of their housed
counterparts, and the mortality rate in homeless youth is 12 to 40 times greater than that of the
general population.”
Homeless patients also report receiving discontinuous care due to their transient lifestyle, lack of
service provided in their area of living, and distrust of health care providers.”
In a housed population, having health insurance is strongly associated with better health and
improved access to preventive care.”
Only 45% of homeless persons in the continental United States report having medical insurance.”
Analysis:
++
This article focuses on the lack of health care for Oahu’s homeless population. The
homeless suffer more health conditions than the general population, yet less than half of them have
access to healthcare. The death rate of the homeless is high due to this insufficient access to care.
An excerpt from the article states that homeless patients receive discontinuous healthcare
due to their transient lifestyle, lack of service provided in their area of living, and distrust of health
care providers. This shows the flaws in the healthcare system. Another excerpt states that in a
housed population, having health insurance strongly correlates with better health and improved
access to preventive care. The mortality rates of the homeless population are much higher than the
housed populations’ rate, but with a more efficient access to health insurance, the illnesses and
mortality rates in the homeless population could significantly decrease.
The health care system is not efficient in terms of service, following the homeless’ transient
lifestyle, and presenting themselves as a reliable system. However, with the increased efficiency
of obtaining access to care and improving the healthcare system’s reachability, more of the
homeless could seek for its access with ease. Such an improvement could improve the homeless’
health as well as decrease the homeless’ mortality rate.
Works Cited:
Withy, Kelley M, et al. “Health Care Needs of the Homeless of O'ahu.” Hawaii Medical Journal,
U.S. National Library of Medicine, Aug. 2008,
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2693419/.
This is a reputable and reliable EBSCO article because it is a scholarly article derived from the
NCBI.
Date: Feb. 20, 2020

Name: Jee Koo
Point that this Source Proves: # 3: The prisoners in Hawaii often do not get discharged with a
safety net.
Excerpts:
After serving a five-year sentence for forgery, theft and counterfeiting, Michele Higa walked out
of the Women’s Community Correctional Center in Kailua on Friday with no cash, no
identification, no place to call home and a “90 percent chance” of ending up homeless immediately
upon release, according to WCCC’s warden.”
WCCC Warden Eric Tanaka said newly released convicts such as Higa “end up right back on the
street”
For newly released prisoners, “you have no idea where to go or who to see,” she said. “They
couldn’t cash a check because they lack ID. How are you going to get a job without ID? You can’t.
And when you’re an ex-offender, it’s not like you’re just going to ask somebody for help. You
tend to shy away from drawing attention to yourself, because that’s been the norm.”
With little support and likely even less money, the pair would probably end up homeless — or
commit new crimes so they could return to prison or jail, where they would at least be given food
and a place to sleep, Taufete’e said.”
Analysis:
++
This article discusses about the newly discharged prisoners in Hawaii who do not have any sort of
safety net once discharged. Upon their release, they have nowhere to go with no way of getting
back on their feet. The discharged prisoners lack an ID and health insurance, are clueless about
where to stay, and do not have the self-esteem to ask anyone for help, being a newly discharged
prisoner. As a result, these individuals could either end up homeless or commit new crimes and
end up back in jail.
An excerpt from the article describes a newly released convict named Michele Higa, who walked
out of the Women’s Community Correctional Center in Kailua on Friday with no cash, no
identification, no place to call home and a “90 percent chance” of ending up homeless immediately
upon release. This shows the flaw in there being no safety net to support newly discharged
prisoners. Another excerpt states that as a newly released prisoner, one does not know where to
stay or who to see, and with the lack of an ID, cannot cash a check or obtain a job. This also shows
the lack of a safety net for newly discharged prisoners. The discharged prisoners who lack
important possessions and have nowhere to go might commit another crime to end up back in jail
where they will at least be given food and a place to sleep. This, however, should not be their only
option as newly discharged prisoners.
With many of the newly discharged prisoners in Hawaii who are bound to be homeless
immediately upon release, there is a flaw in not providing them with any sort of safety net. ID-
less, jobless, and nowhere to go, these discharged prisoners may feel their last resort is to commit
a new crime and find themselves back in prison. They might think there they will at least be given
food and a place to sleep. However, this is not an appropriate solution to the lack of a safety net.
By achieving this route, the discharged prisoners are just entering a boundless cycle. These newly
discharged prisoners should instead be given the opportunity to have access to health insurance
and an ID to obtain a job as well as other basic necessities to begin living their lives.
Works Cited:
“Churches and Nonprofits Help Ex-Prisoners Stay off the Streets, by Dan Nakaso, Star
Advertiser.” Churches and Nonprofits Help Ex-Prisoners Stay off the Streets, by Dan
Nakaso, Star Advertiser | Aloha United Way, 1 Sept. 2016, www.auw.org/churches-and-
nonprofits-help-ex-prisoners-stay-streets-dan-nakaso-star-advertiser.
This is a reputable and reliable website because it is from a credible organization in Hawaii.
Date: Feb. 27, 2020

Name: Jee Koo
Excerpts:
About 15 years ago, when I was still working at the Hawaii State Hospital, I observed a never-
ending parade of patients admitted on court orders that had rendered them “unfit to proceed” to
trial. I realized that while we were treating symptoms of mental illness, many of them also where
suffering methamphetamine-induced psychosis. I predicted then what I see now among many
chronically homeless persons: severe cognitive impairment that sometimes mimics paranoid
schizophrenia or major impulse control looking a lot like manic mood disorders.”
The cycle of chronic homelessness continues in significant part due to ineffective responses to
chronic substance abuse and mental illness and our public safety system. A significant investment
in treatment, housing and employment is needed now.”
Our community must come to terms with the disease of the nature of addiction and fund treatment
for it like it does for other physical diseases. We have for too long treated addiction as moral
failure. Science tells us that some people have genetic predispositions toward alcoholism and
substance abuse because of the makeup of their brain chemistry.”
Analysis:
++
The homeless in Hawaii have been undergoing a drug epidemic for a while. However,
medical support toward these individuals with mental illnesses has been poor to the point where
some of the homeless experience drug induced psychoses and are unfit to proceed a trial in court.
Therefore, there needs to be an improved investment in treatment, housing, and employment to
reduce the rates of these issues.
In the article, a man states that while working at the Hawaii State Hospital, he noticed the
never-ending line of patients being admitted on court orders that had rendered them unfit to
proceed to trial. He realized that while the hospital was treating symptoms of mental illness, many
of the patients were also suffering methamphetamine-induced psychosis and were thus cognitively
impaired. This proves that drug usage amongst the homeless has been militating against their
cognitive functioning. The article also states that our community must come to terms with the
disease nature of addiction and fund treatment for it like it does for other physical diseases. It
mentions that we have far too long treated addiction as moral failure. This shows our urgent need
to address the drug epidemic amongst the homeless due to insufficient resources to support them.
So far as the island continues to ignore attaining more medical attention toward the homeless
in Hawaii, the rates will only continue to increase with more of the homeless relying on cognitively
impairing drug usage. Therefore, the situation should properly be addressed by a stronger
investment in the homeless’ treatment for mental illnesses, housing, and employment. Taking this
urgent approach will surely reduce the issues faced by the homeless and lead to a decline of
homelessness in Hawaii.
Works Cited:
“How Drugs and Alcohol Abuse Fuels Chronic Homelessness.” IHS, The Institute for Human
Services, ihshawaii.org/news/how-drugs-and-alcohol-abuse-fuels-chronic-homelessness.
This is a reputable and reliable article because it was derived from the IHS, a credible
organization in Hawaii that pertains to the homeless.
Date: Feb. 05, 2020

Name: Jee Koo
Point that this Source Proves: # 2: The homeless in Hawaii have insufficient access to
healthcare.
Excerpts:
“Hospitals think I’m just there to sleep, and crash,” said one interviewee. “They treat me nice until
they find out I’m homeless, then they treat me different.”
Only two interviewees out of 38 who had been to a hospital in the past year recalled an attempt by
the hospital to coordinate post-discharge care with homeless agencies, housing, and social
services.”
They woke me up, did an observation, and they told me I was out. I told them my head was killing
me and that I felt nauseous. Security walked me out to the sidewalk at 3:20 a.m.”
Analysis:
This source explains and justifies the struggles of the homeless in obtaining healthcare here
in Hawaii. The homeless here are not treated the same as other patients that come into the hospitals
when ill in any way. The doctors at times assume that they are looking for an excuse to stay for
the purpose of shelter and even worse, may be kicked out.
An excerpt from this source states that a homeless woman was kicked out of the hospital far
past midnight after an observation of her, despite her telling them that she was feeling ill. This
proves the issue of the homeless lacking access to healthcare, especially in comparison to non-
homeless patients. A statistic of the homeless that had been to a hospital and had received post-
discharge care with homeless agencies, housing, and social services showed that “only two
interviewees out of 38 recalled an attempt by the hospital to coordinate post-discharge care with
homeless agencies, housing, and social services.” This proves that the majority of the homeless do
not get proper healthcare and that the situation should be addressed for their betterment.
We can take gradual steps to improve the homeless’ access to healthcare by emphasizing that
they are also human beings and by planning out a system of healthcare targeted toward the
homeless that are physically ill. Most importantly, we should also make sure to provide them with
post-discharge care. Taking these steps would not only treat their illnesses they develop but would
also ease their livelihood since they will not be burdened by any type of physical illness.
Works Cited:
Thornton, Gavin. “Touchpoints of Homeless.” Touchpoints of Homelessness, James Koshiba,
27 Sept. 2017, humanservices.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Touchpoints-of-
Homelessness-Report-Final.pdf.
This is a reputable and reliable book because it was researched and written by credible authors
from various government agencies in Hawaii.
Date: Mar. 03, 2020

Name: Jee Koo
Point that this Source Proves: #3: The prisoners in Hawaii often do not get discharged with a
safety net.
Excerpts:
Program Director Francine Dudoit-Tagupa estimates that “95 percent for sure” of Oahu prisoners
re-enter island society with no job, no place to live and none of the critical documents — such as
a birth certificate, Social Security card or other government identification — they need to get
housing and employment.”
When he was released on probation Aug. 13, Isaac said he would have gone back to being homeless
in Waimanalo, with no job and little optimism.”
Thanks to a grant from the Hawaii Medical Service Association’s Community Grant Program, the
Pu‘uhonua Program continues to work with defendants to get them government documents,
MedQuest health insurance, substance abuse treatment, jobs and temporary and, ideally,
permanent housing.”
Analysis:
Hawaii’s prisoners that have just been discharged often do not have any items on them necessary
to support their daily lives following their release. Most are even clueless about where to go due
to an absence of their ID or their money. This leads most prisoners who get discharged homeless.
In addition, they may even revert back to their old habits and end up back in prison, sometimes for
the sake of shelter, food, and a place to sleep.
An excerpt from this news article supports the fact that the homeless are discharged without any
necessities to carry out their daily lives, lacking an ID as well as cash to name a few. It also states
that without their ID they are unable to apply for a job, which prohibits their ability to earn their
income. Another excerpt states that a former prisoner named Isaac stated that he would have been
homeless from being newly released from prison if it were not for the support that he luckily
received.
The issue of Hawaii’s prisoners’ being discharged without a safety net is what leads them to
ultimately become homeless. However, if this island’s organizations make more of an effort to
contribute to the prisoners’ lives following their release, there would be an advantage not only in
improving their lives, but also in reducing the rate of homelessness in Hawaii. The rates of the
homeless population would most likely drastically decrease with more involvement of the
organization(s).
Works Cited:
dnakaso@staradvertiser.com, Dan Nakaso. “Program Prevents Former Inmates from Becoming
Homeless.” Advertiser, 26 Nov. 2018, www.staradvertiser.com/2018/11/26/hawaii-
news/program-prevents-former-inmates-from-becoming-homeless/.
This is a reputable and reliable news article because it was published in the Honolulu Star
Advertiser, a credible news source.
Date: March 20, 2020

Name: Jee Koo
Excerpts:
Many times, the root cause of a person’s homelessness has to do with drugs, a mental health issue
― or both. Adams says if the state doesn’t do more to beef up its behavioral health resources, the
problem is only going to get worse.”
“‘We aren’t simply going to fix their problem by giving them housing if we aren’t also treating
those behavioral health issues,’ said Adams.”
“‘I think the challenge there comes in that if we give people housing but we don’t address all these
other issues we’ll never be able to provide enough housing to meet the need,’ said Adams.”
“‘If people are in crisis, they have to put them on an airplane and send them to Honolulu for
stabilization which costs upwards of $20,000 every time that happens,’ Anderson said.”
He says the state is in desperate need of about 230 short-term stabilization beds for people with
substance abuse and mental health problems.
Analysis:
Organizations have realized that solving the homeless crisis on this island is not just about
providing more homeless individuals with shelter, but is also about treating their mental health
issues, drug addictions, and solving the island’s shortage in resources to provide them with this
type of care as well as with shelter. The organizations have realized that they must solve the root
of the homeless epidemic, and not just the surface problem of providing homeless individuals with
shelter.
An excerpt from this news article supports the idea of the roots to homeless population in
Hawaii by stating the roots most often include a mental health issue, a drug addiction, or both. By
stating this info, the article is implying that in order to solve the homeless crisis in Hawaii,
organizations must also treat the homeless patients’ psychological welfare. Another excerpt
supports the fact that the island is limited in the amount of housing they can provide the homeless
with and in the amount of short-term stabilization beds for people with substance abuse and mental
health problems. This sheds light on a new problem regarding the increasing homeless population
on the island.
This news article provides us with new info regarding the problems discovered in relation to
the homeless population in Hawaii. It also implies the solutions to these problems and the further
action organizations must take to limit the number of homeless individuals on the island.
Works Cited:
Blair, Allyson. “US Surgeon General: Hawaii's Homeless Crisis Won't Be Solved with
Housing Alone.” Https://Www.hawaiinewsnow.com, 31 July 2019,
www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2019/07/31/us-surgeon-general-hawaiis-homeless-crisis-
wont-be-solved-with-housing-alone/.
This is a reputable and reliable article because it was displayed on Hawaii News Now, a credible
news channel.
Date: March 26, 2020

Name: Jee Koo
#3: The prisoners in Hawaii often do not get discharged with a safety net
Point that this Source Proves: # 2: The homeless in Hawaii have insufficient access to healthcare.
Excerpts:
An interview study of 162 homeless individuals on O’ahu demonstrated that the homeless studied
were 3 times more likely than the general population of O’ahu to rate their health as fair to poor,
despite the fact that 77% of interviewees had medical insurance and 66% a regular health care
provider.”
Commonly reported barriers to accessing care included financial factors such as being unable to
purchase medications; environmental challenges such as clean drinking water and a safe place to
stay; and general discomfort with the health care system.”
Participants provided a number of ideas for improving health care access. These included additional
financial support factors, particularly providing dental insurance and coverage for medications. In
addition, participants wanted “more clinics and more hospitals,” “more offices for doctors,” “help with
filling out forms,” and “show us where we can get insurance card.”
Analysis:
Many homeless individuals in Hawaii have insufficient access to healthcare. They experience
issues with purchasing medications, living in unfortunate and unsafe areas with polluted water,
and feel general uneasiness about the healthcare system due to these reasons.
An excerpt in the article supports that Hawaii’s homeless individuals have insufficient access
to healthcare by stating that a study of 162 homeless individuals on O’ahu demonstrated that the
homeless studied were 3 times more likely than the general population of O’ahu to rate their health
as fair to poor, despite the fact that 77% of interviewees had medical insurance and 66% a regular
health care provider. This implies that the homeless individuals have poor healthcare and/or have
a lack of trust toward the healthcare system. Another excerpt directly supports that Hawaii’s
homeless individuals feel uneasy about the healthcare system by stating that they feel general
discomfort with the system, and that only 45% of the individuals report having medical insurance.
This shows that the healthcare system needs to drastically more active than it already is in
guaranteeing homeless individuals with proper healthcare.
If the healthcare system improved their service toward the homeless individuals by making
registration procedures shorter, clinic hours more convenient, and were more efficient in terms of
monetary funds, transportation, and telephones, the homeless population in Hawaii would feel
much more trusting toward the healthcare providers and likely reach out more for their service.
This would in turn work to benefit their own health and provide them with any necessary treatment
they may need.
Works Cited:
Francine, Amoa. “Health Care Needs of the Homeless of O'ahu.” Hawaii Medical
Journal, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Aug. 2008,

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2693419/.
This is a reputable and reliable journal because it was published in the National Center for
Biotechnology Information, a credible company.

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