Security patrol newly reopened Kakaako Waterfront Park

After being closed for three months to repair damage caused by homeless campers, Kakaako Waterfront Park reopened Monday at 6 a.m., and by about 7:30 a.m. one person was already attempting to set up a tent.

Workers informed the individual of the rules prohibiting camping, and the person moved on.

That was the start of Day One for the newly reopened park.

The state shut down all Kakaako parks in October, citing safety concerns primarily at Kakaako Waterfront Park due to vandalism, a series of dog attacks and fires blamed on homeless people camping along the waterfront. Deputy sheriffs had swept about 180 homeless people from the area to repair vandalized plumbing and electrical poles and damaged grass.

New signage at the park lists as prohibited camping, washing clothing, accessing electricity and building fires among others.

Deputy sheriffs were patrolling the park Monday and are expected to monitor the area throughout the week.

State Homeless Coordinator Scott Morishige was also at the park Monday morning with fellow outreach workers to pass out flyers detailing the rules to park users.

“I think having a regular, consistent presence is key … to educate and inform people what the park rules are,” Morishige said. “Generally, everybody complied with the rules once they were informed of them.”

Repairs have since been made to power poles along the park’s pathways as well as damaged sprinkler heads, according to Hawaii Community Development Authority interim Director Garett Kamemoto. HCDA is the state agency that oversees Kakaako.

Kamemoto said about $200,000 was allocated for the repairs to the park.

“We expect to come in less than that,” Kamemoto said. Some pending fixes such as repairs to lights at the pavilion are expected to be addressed later as part of a long-term project.

HCDA has hired a private security team to patrol the grounds to enforce park rules and prevent the return of homeless campers. Louisville, Ky.-based Block by Block was given a yearlong, $300,000 contract that ends Dec. 1 to monitor all Kakaako parks, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Block by Block will provide outreach and property storage services, said Kamemoto.

Block by Block calls its employees “safety ambassadors” who emphasize helping the homeless. “Smiles replaced mirrored sunglasses, and proactive engagement replaced waiting around for something to happen,” the company said on its website. “Safety ambassadors focus on maintaining a highly visible presence in strategic areas … engaging the public with friendly greetings and responding to opportunities to provide directions, recommendations or assistance. Ultimately becoming one of the caring faces of your district.”

Four Block by Block personnel were on-site Monday morning when the park reopened to the public at 6 a.m.

Daily park hours for Kakaako Waterfront Park are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Park hours for Gateway and Kewalo Basin parks, which reopened in the latter part of October, are 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

With a mixed terrier named Keanu on a leash, Kakaako resident Hisako Lee walked Monday morning toward the entrance of Kakaako Waterfront Park where she held up her smartphone and took photos of the park rules.

Happy with the reopening, Lee said it was bad before the park closed, noting that loose dogs roamed the park.

She recalled how she enjoyed watching sunsets at the park before the area became inundated with homeless encampments, and hopes she can resume her evening routine now.