No Room in Paradise

Hawaii may be paradise for some, but for a shocking number of homeless people the island of Oahu has become a challenge in basic survival. Filmmakers Anthony Aalto and Mike Hinchey's documentary, designed to motivate state residents to support legislative action on homelessness, is a work of advocacy journalism that carries a compelling urgency. The images of scores of adults and children on busy, urban streets—not just hanging out or sleeping, but living in makeshift encampments—are disturbing. The filmmakers get to know many of these individuals, capturing stories about drug use, mental health crises, victimization, or the folly of having moved to Oahu from the mainland U.S. only to end up without work, a place to rent, or resources. No Room in Paradise also presents numerous perspectives from government and city leaders (including Hawaii's governor and Honolulu's mayor), along with public health and housing professionals, on how to deal with these issues. What emerges is the fact that the lack of a master plan for coordinating services for the homeless is both costly and inefficient. It's also clear that the people in charge of services are at the mercy of a state legislature that lacks both financial and political capital to pay for real solutions. What would help, they say, is a change in the public's stance on homelessness, shifting from disdain and cynicism to a compassionate practicality. Although the film looks at trouble in one particular paradise, the issue is one that is being felt nationwide. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh)