Homeless Versus Houseless in Hawaiʻi

Our team got to talking about the term “homeless” the other day.

How some people that live in Hawaiʻi are “housless,” but donʻt identify with being “homeless.” As people of the ʻāina, Hawaiians see the land in Hawaiʻi as their home, not just the concrete structures that some people reside in. If you think in those terms, no one could ever be homeless in Hawaiʻi. Hawaiʻi is their home.

Puʻuhonua O Waiʻanae is a nonprofit that started as a houseless encampment and now provides a home and support for hundreds of unhoused people.

On their Facebook page they celebrate reaching their goal of installing over 40 fire extinguishers throughout their village and creating programs that teach keiki how to do work that supports their communities.

They have set up mobile hotspots, so houseless neighbors across the island can have internet access, and edible gardens, so people can learn how to grow their own food.

Imagine a world where these communities are supported and given the same opportunities as those who live in concrete houses.

The next time you look for the word to describe someone who does not live in an apartment, condo or house, think about changing your language from “homeless” to “houseless.” A step further, think about how you can help serve these communities.