Hawaii is the most ethnically and racially diverse state in the USA and is a testament to the blessings of welcoming and incorporating immigrants and refugees. The Hawaiian ethos of Aloha serves as the guiding spirit of our society. The members of East Hawaii Inter-Faith Communities in Action, consisting of diverse religions who have immigrated to these islands, express our wholehearted affirmation and support of those in our community who have chosen Hawaii as their new home. Whether they have fled violence and turmoil in their own countries or have been attracted by the beacon of freedom and hope represented by our nation, we welcome them and cherish the gifts of diversity and promise they bring.

Our organization includes Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Jewish and Muslim faith groups. Each of our religions teaches compassion and support for the stranger and sojourner. Each of our faiths has experienced persecution and prejudice in our histories. The United States of America was founded on principles of religious freedom. We affirm our solidarity with our Muslim and Jewish neighbors and friends who are now under threat and attack because of their religious identity. We stand with them now in the face of religious discrimination and hate crimes directed toward individuals or communities, and we defend their civil liberties.

While we fully understand the need for security protocols and proper vetting procedures of immigrants and refugees seeking entrance to our country, we repudiate the current administration’s executive orders regarding asylum seekers, the border wall, the ban on admissions of any refugees for a period of time, as well as the ban on admitting all refugees, immigrants and visitors from selected countries. We believe these orders are not in keeping with the values and moral fabric of our nation.

We call on our political leaders to hold high the beacon of religious liberty and compassion to the peoples of world. We also call for the continued reception of properly vetted refugees as is our responsibility as a nation of compassion. In a climate of heightened anxiety, we call upon our neighbors and friends to reach beyond our fears and divisions to find common ground in welcoming the stranger, protecting our religious freedoms, and in fostering the spirit of Aloha in our state and nation.

The Interfaith Communities in Action is committed to Ending Family Homelessness on Hawaii Island. You can help us reach this goal by supporting local legislation which removes housing barriers or provides funds programs that move individuals and families out of homelessness. 

Please take a few minutes to review the attached -- short -- document. It contains brief summaries of a handful of bills and information about how to submit testimony.

The East Hawaii Interfaith Hui on Ending Family Homelessness will be meeting at 9am on Friday, April 7th in the Office of Housing Conference room (1990 Kinoole, St., Hilo).
This is a working sub-committee of the Interfaith Communities in Action. It is tasked with following up on the commitments to action from the 2016 Interfaith Summit to End Family Homelessness. It is also the core planning group for the 2017 Interfaith Summit to End Family Homelessness, scheduled for October 4th, 2017.
We need your support. If you or your faith community are concerned about family homelessness, please join us on April 7th. This is a dynamic working committee, so be prepared to take action and be part of the solution.

The Interfaith Communities in Action will hold its March meeting on March 28th at 7pm at the Community of Christ. (1842 Kinoole St., Hilo). All are welcome.
We will continue our discussions on taking action locally to end family homelessness. If this is something you or your faith community is concerned about, please do join the discussion.

ICIA members are invited to join the Interfaith Coalition on Family Homelessness. It's next meeting is November 2, 2016, 9AM at the County of Hawaiʻi Aging and Disability Resource Center 1055 Kinoʻole St. Room 101.

The October 2016 ICIA meeting will be Tuesday, October  25th at 7pm at the Church of the Holy Cross in Hilo. Our main topics of discussion will be follow up on the Interfaith Summit to End Family Homelessness  and November's Thanksgiving Celebration (Tuesday November 22 at Church of the Holy Cross).

On Wednesday October 5th 2016 from 9AM to 2PM, faith-based communities from East Hawaii will gather to learn about existing resources to address family homelessness and reflect upon how different organizations and communities can collaborate together to end family homelessness. With community members helping each other, we can find homes for all of our families. 

To participate, please register by September 30, 2016 online or by calling the Neighborhood Place of Puna at 808-965-5550. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. 

​The September 2016 ICIA meeting will be Tuesday, September  27th at 7pm at the Hilo Coast United Church of Christ in Honomu. We will open with a refection on “The United Church of Christ and its understanding of Homelessness” by Linda Petrucelli of Hilo Coast UCC and will discuss October's
Interfaith Summit on Homelessness and November's Thanksgiving Celebration.