Social service providers say lawmakers need to dig deeper and restore funds, as organizations aimed at helping the community say they are suffering.
"We barely have enough staff to just be there," said Howard Garval, of Child and Family Service.
"You see a lot of hurting people... a lot," said Stella Lemafa, a Hawaii Community Action Program volunteer.
"There is some serious fear about what could occur," said Alex Santiago, from Phocused, a nonprofit aimed at increasing investment in marginalized children and adults in Hawaii.
Close to 300 social service providers, volunteers and Oahu residents needing assistance gathered at a rally Tuesday to ask lawmakers to restore funding to organizations providing health and human services.
"We heard early on that restoration was going to happen, but when we looked at the numbers we really didn't see any restoration occuring," Santiago said.
The group demonstrated on the floor of the State Capitol rotunda what it looks like to lose close to 20% in funding over the past couple of years. Then they displayed how cuts affect services to people with disabilities, elderly and others who need assistance.
"At a time when needs are the highest we need to start investing in the people today and the programs that serve them, and that's what this is all about," Santiago said.
"Even though it was for one time only," said Lemafa, "that was the first chance that I got to get back on my feet, and where I am at now."
Once homeless, Lemafa saw first hand what it was like to need help and is now a volunteer for an organization helping people get back on their feet.
"There's a lot of resources yet they are disappearing. They are fading away."
"They are concerned about our own employees who are one step away from homelessness," said Howard Garval, of Child and Family Service.
Garval said they have barely enough staff to keep above water.
The groups are asking for a call to action. They say the situation will only get worse.
"We've got to begin to try and restore some of these services because in the long run we are going to pay more for the damage that will be done when there are no services," said Garval.
"Let's look at what we can do when those rainy day funds run out."
