Help for landlords, tenants
So many in our community are struggling right now. Workers have lost their jobs. Businesses have closed their doors. It’s a stressful time.
Fortunately, caring and compassionate people in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors have stepped up to help. Food is delivered to our keiki’s schools and to feed families. Tiny homes are built to shelter those who are houseless. Assistance programs let folks pay one rent or utility bill.
The island’s two nonprofit community mediation centers, Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center and West Hawaii Mediation Center, also wanted to make a difference in the lives of our community members. So we teamed up to launch the Rapid Response Landlord Tenant Mediation Program.
This program is specifically designed to aid in both residential and commercial rental situations during the pandemic. If you are a residential or commercial tenant or landlord in Hawaii County, you qualify for free mediation services.
Services include neutral third parties, our mediators, to help landlords and tenants talk-story to see if you can work something out during these tough economic times.
Early conversations are a proactive approach to financial problems that could become overwhelming if nothing is done. We want to prevent evictions, homelessness, business closures and massive debt. We want to support mutual agreements and outcomes that everyone can live with.
When people call our offices, staff will respond on the day of the call (or on Monday, if you call on a weekend). We immediately reach out to the other person to see if they’re open to having a mediated discussion. We work with both parties to schedule a mediation as soon as it suits those participating. Currently, we’re holding phone- or video-conference mediation, so people can participate from wherever they are.
Mediation is a safe and informal process facilitated by our professionally trained volunteer mediators. They help people to talk and listen, explore options, and try to find a negotiated solution that works for everybody. It’s completely voluntary and confidential.
In court, a judge is the decision maker. In mediation, the participants make the decisions. This allows for a wide variety of solutions to satisfy people’s needs.
Take control of your situation. Let us help you talk it out.
Julie Mitchell
Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center, Hilo
Eric Paul
West Hawaii Mediation Center, Waimea
Mahalo, HMC
I want to express my gratitude to the staff at Hilo Medical Center.
I have been a patient there three times, and two have been very recent. Two visits have been very serious — salmonella and, just last month, a heart issue.
I have held positions that require good communication for most of my 50-plus year career, and I know HMC is excellent. Since I left in mid-April, the staff checks on me regularly.
So, thank you, staff workers. Your profession is a thankless task and so valuable. I am so lucky to be living here the last 30-plus years.
Jerry E. Bragdon
Keaau