I am writing to bring attention to a growing and disgraceful issue that is affecting families across Hawaii, particularly on Maui. In the midst of a housing crisis, landlords are exploiting state-run assistance programs designed to help people keep their homes. These landlords are taking government funds intended for rent relief and, despite receiving the money, are still evicting tenants under false pretenses. This fraudulent practice is not only unethical but also a direct attack on vulnerable residents, including families with small children.

It is appalling to witness such greed and disregard for human dignity. Many of these tenants have nowhere else to go, yet landlords are aggressively pushing them out, using baseless allegations as justification. This situation demands immediate attention and intervention. Our local government must step in to enforce stricter regulations and accountability measures to ensure that state funds are used for their intended purpose–to keep people in their homes.

Adding to this injustice, our federal government has sent billions of dollars to Ukraine while neglecting its own citizens in crisis. Maui, an island that the United States claims as its own–despite historical controversies–has been left to struggle with inadequate disaster relief and housing support. Why are we not receiving the same level of aid that other disaster-stricken areas in the U.S. have received? Why is our government turning a blind eye to the suffering of its own people?

The people of Hawaii are counting on the media to amplify their voices and bring about change.

Robert Jordan

Kihei