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Homeless increase on Hawaii’s beaches

The rising number of homeless people living near Hawaii’s tourist-filled beaches has government leaders looking for ways to help them while removing them from public view.

HONOLULU — The rising number of homeless people living near Hawaii’s tourist-filled beaches has government leaders looking for ways to help them while removing them from public view.

Proposals include offering the homeless plane tickets, creating a homeless “tent city” on less visible state land and providing more affordable housing in Honolulu, where rents are among the nation’s highest.

There were 4,171 homeless on the island of Oahu when a census was taken in January, according to the report released last month, an increase of 15 per cent from the same time last year.

But social service providers say help for the homeless shouldn’t end with moving them out of sight.

Long-term solutions include drug and mental health treatment and employment opportunities.