Ted Kawahinehelelani Blake writes: "People are reaching the end of the capacity to endure more waiting. People who were living paycheck to paycheck before the pandemic have no buffer to help them weather this crisis."

The stress is taking its toll on the island in terms of rising rates of domestic violence. The houseless situation can only get worse.

Government is supposed to ensure the well-being of its citizens. We respectfully ask that the leaders of the state House and state Senate take stock of what they are not doing.

They should take stock of the suffering so many families are experiencing. If they do that, and see what we see, we are confident that they will release that aid without further delay. There is no time to waste.

Ted Kawahinehelelani Blake is a resident of Koloa.

Read the full op-ed here.