Change of Heart pilot program ends after just $300 diverted from panhandlers

A Hawaii County pilot program to divert spare change from panhandlers to nonprofits is coming to an end.

The Change of Heart pilot program was launched Oct. 21, 2021, with a goal to deter panhandling in Kailua-Kona while supporting vital service providers for the houseless population in West Hawaii. To divert “spare change” from panhandlers to the Hawaii Island United Way, signs were posted giving motorists a means to donate to the agency via quick response (QR) codes at intersections throughout Kailua Village.

After a year, the program brought in roughly $300 in donations, according to Jane Clement, an executive assistant to Mayor Mitch Roth. She added that the money would reallocated to a trusted human service-focused non-profit in Kona.

“Although the dollar value seems small in comparison to the need, it is encouraging to know that every dollar donated will go directly toward rehabilitation of all experiencing houselessness rather than just a select individual,” she said via email. “That said, we’ll be bringing the pilot program to an end, and will continue to look for ways to focus the extreme generosity on this island for maximum impact in the future.”

The signs cost taxpayers $1,533, with funding coming from the Hawaii County Office of Housing and Community Development.

Kona Councilwoman Rebecca Villegas, who at the start of the pilot program said she was “cautiously optimistic” for its success, said Wednesday evening that it was “no surprise that this campaign failed miserably.”

“Unfortunately, our precious taxpayer money was wasted on ineffective signage. However, it is past time we as legislators take action to find a legal remedy for the onslaught of panhandling that’s degrading our village,” she said. “Ironically, I know of one chronic panhandler who is actually quite well off and simply refuses to work because he makes so much money, in his own words, ‘holding a sign.’

“He’s a fraud and is manipulating the system, our community and our visitors. There are those in real need. However, panhandling is not a viable solution to improve their circumstances. It’s time to learn from Municipalities who have found solutions and take courageous actions to put a stop to panhandling in Kailua Village,” she continued.

Panhandling is not considered illegal in Hawaii County, unless persons taking part in the activity “start to aggressively beg or solicit” per Hawaii County Code.