Letter for Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016

• Appreciate help for homeless

Street Ohana is back. Been off island for medical attention but after a few months, healing and back to help our homeless and misfortune. My last letter addressed Tropical Care but now that I am back and the holidays are upon us so time to share some thoughts and upcoming events.

Hope all had a nice Thanksgiving but more to come. Upon returning, I unfortunately lost my personal things, apartment and job. But time to start over. I have unfortunately been catching up to many issues we face keep day. Like I see the streets of Lihue rumbling with the homeless due to the closure of the “cage” behind the old market. I see they were displaced but no offers of alternatives except KEO.

At King’s Chapel in Hanamaulu, the dome is down and construction on their new chapel is beginning. Also, I was invited to the church last week and besides great singing and a play by the youth, the people of the church, young and seniors, made me feel so welcomed and when they heard of my homeless situation, some actually left then came back with clothes, blanket, forms to fill out for assistance and jobs. The next day while sitting at the bus stop reading the newspaper, many stopped to say “aloha” and brought more food. Their generosity definitely came from the heart.

We all must help each other but it is you who need to step up. Thank you again, Garden Island, for assisting by printing my letters. Keep your ears and eyes open for more advice and assistance. Regardless of your situation, we must help keep other as a community and ohana. Prayers go out to the homeless we lost the few months. For clothes, see Salvation Army Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and don’t forget their wonderful ono soup kitchen on the same days. I will serve you personally.

Mark Segreti, Kapaa/Lihue