HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – An elderly man sleeping on a sidewalk in Liliha. It’s a case that’s disturbed the community and highlighted a growing dilemma: How to care for homeless kupuna.
On April 30, 64-year-old man Roger Kumura — a hospital bracelet still on his wrist — slept in front of Kuakini Medical Center. Those who walked by dropped off food and money.
“I cannot believe this is happening in the United States. He could be somebody’s dad or uncle and this is what you do. Look at his feet,” said a man who came by.
“I don’t want to walk. That’s why they are … supposed to take care of me,” said Kumura, who wanted to go to the McCully.
In a statement, Kuakini says the patient did not need to be admitted was treated and released. The hospital later clarified that when the patient was released, a hospital security officer escorted him outside and gave him some money. He walked on his own and when the security officer left, that’s when the patient laid down on the ground. A spokesperson said the city’s C.O.R.E. program brought the man to the hospital, but it wasn’t immediately known if the hospital called C.O.R.E. afterward.
The situation was similar to a situation where a homeless man in need of medical treatment spent days on a sidewalk right outside Queen’s Medical Center last year.
Meanwhile, 61 and wheelchair bound, Lovey Aona has been hospitalized at Queen’s West for a week and a half because of an infection.
She had been living at the Ulu Ke Kukui affordable housing complex in Maili on Hawaiian Home Lands property after advocates briefly occupied the complex in January 2023 to demand housing. She and some others were allowed to stay, but it was only temporary.
Now advocates worry when she’s discharged, she’ll have to go back to the beach, where she had been living for years in declining health.
“I call it the check the box system and that check the box system is not working for kanaka. It’s not working for kupuna,” said Lena Spain-Suzuki, of Waianae Moku Kupuna Council.
Dr. James Ireland, director of Honolulu’s Emergency Services Department, says he’ll call a meeting with the hospitals and other stakeholders to remind them of C.O.R.E. services.
That’s the Crisis Outreach Response and Engagement Program — for patients who need medical treatment but don’t need the emergency room.
“The issue then is how can you get people from the hospital or the ER to more appropriate facilities when they are homeless,” said Ireland.
“The idea is C.O.R.E. can go to the hospital, meet the patient and help direct them to the most appropriate place,” he added.
Lisa Amador, administrator for the state’s Adult Protective and Community Services branch, says they respond to calls regarding vulnerable adults.
“We see and we hear it that services are lacking,” said Amador.
DHS encourages people to make a report by calling 808-832-5115 or clicking here for information.
For details on CORE, click here.
Copyright 2024 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.