It was a rally of, by and for the homeless yesterday at Ala Moana Beach Park's Picnic Area No. 8. The message was one of solidarity.

"We may be houseless, but we're not helpless," said organizer Skip Tomiyama, with Kawaiaha'o Church, in welcoming homeless folks from across O'ahu to food, entertainment, music, prizes, toys, aloha and holiday spiritual uplifting.

"Today's event, believe it or not, is coming from the houseless to the houseless."

Homeless individuals helped prepare and serve meals for hundreds of their fellow homeless. Others performed music and dance, or passed out gifts, accessory packets and good cheer.

Church, civic and business organizations, as well as private individuals, donated everything necessary to make the rally a success, said Ha'aheo Guanson, executive director of Pacific Justice and Reconciliation Center, which also helped coordinate the rally.

"This is a grassroots organization of different people, all volunteers, who are coming together to feed the homeless and to know who these people are," she said. "It's open to everybody."

Brother Sage Chee of Ohana Family of the Living God performed songs and played the guitar, with some inspired backup from a lineup of seven junior singers from the church.

"I think I'm going to start out with that song 'Home' by Olomana," he said before he stepping up to the mike. "You know, 'People coming, people leaving, and I'm just hanging on, not knowing why.' That kind of says it. And then we'll do a few Christmas songs."

Virgil Amoroso, former homeless O'ahu beach dweller and assistant church pastor at Chee's church, was just grateful to be able to lend a helping hand.

"The thing is, I'm now on the side where I'm passing out food now," Amoroso said. "I do the outreach for the church and I'm the head of the food ministry."

"But I've been there."

Nikki Guess, 36, is still there. She's typical of those who have ended up homeless because of financial circumstances. Two years ago, the 1988 Moanalua High School grad was living with her daughter in a two-bedroom apartment and sharing the rent with a friend.

But when the friend moved out, Guess, who was working as an educational assistant for the Department of Education, could no longer afford the $1,000-a-month rent on her salary. So she ended up homeless.

"When I was growing up, my family was your regular middle-class family," said Guess, who as the official raffle prize ticket distributor, was one of the most popular people at the event.

Guess, who is now a special-needs tutor, remains optimistic that she will find a home.

Alice Greenwood, a familiar homeless face along the Wai'anae Coast, made it to the celebration from Ma'ili Beach Park, where she lives in a small tent with her 6-year-old adopted son, Makali'i.

"I think this is real successful," said Greenwood, a pure Hawaiian who became homeless for the first time on July 15. "The thing is, the more you can let people know what's happening with the homeless, the better."

Greenwood believes it's important for the homeless to fight for their rights. It's the only way they will make headway, she said.

Just last week, the city agreed to pay a $65,000 settlement relating to a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union following the arrests of homeless advocates Julia Matsui Estrella and Utu Langi in March.

The two were arrested on charges of criminal trespass after they joined 100 other people marching at City Hall to protest the nightly closure of Ala Moana Beach Park. The ACLU contends that the rights of Estrella and Langi were violated.

Marsha Joyner, a Democratic activist and former state Senate candidate, who along with Estrella attended the rally, said the City Hall protest and Estrella's request for help is what made her a homeless advocate.

"I remember the day they were camped out in front of City Hall," said Joyner, who that day was testifying nearby at the state Capitol. "And when I later walked into that crowd of protesters, there was something that just connected.

"And ever since we made that connection it's been like, 'Here we are!' "

Reach Will Hoover at whoover@honoluluadvertiser.com.