The Family Reunification Program                                                         ​

                     Nope, you won’t see him anymore.  You won’t see him 

 lying on the sidewalk between the Shell gas station minimart and the  condos, where he’s been for the last 4 years. He won’t be in the food line

at Hope Servic or at West Hawaii Medical Center, or be seen at all by 

                      the traffic driving by on Kuikini Highway.                   

There was excitement in his voice, anticipation for a new start on the day Officer Nahale drove him to the airport and helped him downsize his ten bags to two over by the Departure sign. The old man boarded the plane  where window seat 23F was waiting to take him to meet his sister 

                      at Hawaiian Airline Arrivals in Oakland, California.                

  I still look over at that vacant spot as I drive by, recalling the day. I

still glance over at the absence of the homeless camp at Hale Halewai Park, and still look over at the Kona Pool area where the open air denizens  once frequented.  I realize that some are meant to fly, to seize the opportunity to finally skedaddle out from the misery and heartache of being overlooked and dismissed.  A flurry of names and departures  recollect in my mind, by special invitation to fly, lifted up and away to settle into a softer, safer place to lay one’s head and rest.

 

Regina Weller, Executive Director

Family Reunification Program - August 2024