DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM Homeless volunteers, from left, Oui Keonouchanhy, "Tommy" and Dayven Aikau reclined inside their tent last night on the lawn of the First United Methodist Church.

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Homeless volunteers
camp on church lawn

The fund-raising effort draws
complaints from the community

Unlike years past, there wasn't a manger and baby Jesus on the lawn of the First United Methodist Church on Beretania Street this Christmas.

Instead, a group of homeless men were on display -- trying to capitalize on the season's spirit of giving, but also drawing complaints from community and church members.

"People are seeing us, and it's generating some level of discomfort," said Isla Morley, chairwoman of the board of the church's nonprofit Helping Hawaii's Hungry Have Hope ministry. "But Jesus, in his adult ministry, was homeless. As Christians we just have to embrace this. ... We can't keep ignoring the fact that people are sleeping out in the cold."

About eight homeless volunteers with the group have camped overnight on the lawn since Dec. 12, and intend to stay until they raise $50,000 -- enough for a home for homeless volunteers.

So far, the group has gotten about $2,000. The money will go toward renting an apartment for the volunteers -- homeless people who help other homeless. It will also go toward a permanent shelter, envisioned as a place for medical and social services.

Utu Langi, the project's director, has camped out with the group nightly, sometimes bringing his children or recruiting other members of the nonprofit's board.

Langi said he's resolved to stick out the funding drive until the group's target has been met, despite concerns from residents and churchgoers who say the project is the wrong way to go about soliciting funds.

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DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM Dayven Aikau, left, and Oui Keonouchanhy are among eight volunteers with the church ministry Helping Hawaii's Hungry Have Hope who are trying to raise money to permanently shelter the group's volunteers, who are all homeless.

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Several First United members have complained to the church's senior pastor about the program, as have nearby residents, Langi said. Once, a resident called the police, thinking the camp-out was illegal.

The volunteers also have gotten egged.

Langi said about a dozen eggs were thrown from a passing car early one morning last week, and one hit a sleeping volunteer. "I was in the firing line," said a 57-year-old homeless volunteer with the program who identified himself as "Tommy." "Why do people do that?"

The volunteers sleep in a large 10-man tent at the corner of Beretania and Victoria streets, put up about a week ago because of rainy weather. Earlier they slept on blankets and in sleeping bags on the lawn.

Signs are posted near the tent, advertising the program.

Langi, who founded the church's homeless outreach program nearly seven years ago, said he got the idea for the fundraiser when he recalled the Bible story of Mary and Joseph not finding a place at an inn and having to stay in a manger.

"I wanted to make a statement," he said. "People are still out there. ... I wanted to bring awareness."

Last year, Langi opened up his office to the nonprofit's homeless volunteers. About five of them spent their nights in the cramped quarters, thankful for the safety and air conditioning.

Before that, the volunteers would come to help in the day and then head off in the evening for a park or bus stop. "This Christmas, I have to put them up at a place that is humane," Langi said he told himself.

And the volunteers -- most of whom have been with the program for years -- say they're happy to be a part of the fundraiser, especially with the potential of having a roof over their heads by next Christmas.

"Together, it's like a family now," said Dayven Aikau, 57, the program's cook. "It's our way of showing ... where we're coming from." Aikau's been volunteering with the church for about three years -- as long as he's been homeless.

Every month, the church's nonprofit helps feed about 2,500 homeless residents on Oahu. Langi said he sets out with the homeless volunteers every week in a van to feed dozens of families on the streets, many with small children.

Langi and the volunteers were working on Christmas, too. They filled two vans with food and spent hours in Waianae feeding the homeless.

After they returned, the volunteers had their own Christmas meal. Later, they all hunkered down for a night on the church lawn.

Aikau said he's willing to sleep in a tent for as long as he's allowed, a step up -- he admits -- from the park bench he's used to. The 57-year-old was also proud to say he helped decorate the tent for Christmas, placing palm fronds on its sides and stringing garland around its rooftop.

"No matter what time of the year," Aikau added, as he stood outside the tent yesterday, "there are still people out on the streets."

To donate to the fund or for more information, call Langi at 223-5176 or the nonprofit at 522-0397.