Confusion over Waianae camp

For some 200 homeless people encamped on borrowed time on state land in Waianae, a lot can change in one short week. Or not.

First came word, abruptly at a March 6 neighborhood board meeting, that the state would be clearing out the homeless encampment next to the Waianae Small Boat Harbor, by early June. The longtime camp, Pu‘uhonua o Waianae, certainly has its supporters, but also many detractors — who cite use of harbor water resources without paying; criminal activity and drug use; and concern for on-site caverns of opae ula, a tiny red shrimp. The “sweep” was announced by state homeless coordinator Scott Morishige and Pua Aiu of the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Not unexpectedly, that sparked emotional turmoil and confusion among the campers and their leader, Twinkle Borge, who had been under the impression the state was talking with them to seek a solution to the situation. On Tuesday, Borge landed a meeting with Gov. David Ige, who promptly did a turnaround and publicly stated that the campers would not be cleared, at least for now.

This buys Pu‘uhonua o Waianae — and the state — some needed time to fashion a plan; after all, the campers shouldn’t be allowed to stay there for much longer, but scattering them with a “sweep” with no shelter options would only exacerbate an already tenuous situation. Let’s hope housing and help are on the near horizon.

Meanwhile, one has to seriously question the communication — or lack thereof — between the governor and his point-people in this homelessness crisis. Get on the same page on strategies, especially when dealing directly with people’s lives.

Loss of Central Y gym still hurts

It’s back to the drawing board, literally and unfortunately, for the Central YMCA on Atkinson Drive after the collapse of an agreement that would have redeveloped the deteriorating facility and added some 128 new condominium units.

An arbitration decision filed this week in U.S. District Court revealed the dissolution of a joint venture, after six years of effort, between the YMCA of Honolulu and Aloha Kai Development LLC and MB Property Acquisitions LLC. An arbitrator’s ruling that the YMCA is entitled to about $2 million in damages and legal fees awaits court confirmation in May.

It’s good that the nonprofit YMCA won’t be walking away empty-handed, since the failed project has come at a price of another kind. In anticipation of the renovation, the Atkinson “Y” in 2015 closed its community programs, swimming pool and gym; only its 115 residential rooms for rent remain operational. Lost were hopes for a new YMCA facility alongside the 128-unit condo tower at the 1.8-acre site, a prime location across Ala Moana Center.

To be sure, some neighbors might be hailing this project’s demise: Back in 2013, there was opposition to the zoning change that allowed the 350-foot tower and complaints against increased traffic and loss of view planes. Community users, however, continue to lament the loss of Y facilities such as the gym, which has caused crowding at the Nuuanu Y. Certainly they, the YMCA and other stakeholders are eager for a more-viable project to emerge soon after this case concludes in May.

The trial of getting public records

Today is the last day of Sunshine Week 2018. The initiative, launched nationally in 2005 by the American Society of News Editors, celebrates and advocates open, transparent government.

For investigative journalists and others representing the public, prying records from reluctant governments remains a struggle.

While both the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Hawaii law require public access, governments have — and frequently use — tools that can discourage requests. They may cite an exception contained in the laws, such as privacy concerns. One popular reason is “to avoid the frustration of a legitimate government function.” Or they may charge hefty fees to gather and process the records, effectively blocking those without resources.

Nationally, the Associated Press (AP) found that over eight months last year, the federal government responded to 78 percent of requests for records by providing either censored files or nothing at all — a record over the past decade.

Locally, recent AP requests for state government emails, phone logs and text messages related to January’s false missile alert were met with resistance. Gov. David Ige’s office said it didn’t keep records of phone calls or text and instant messages. As for emails, some were available — for a price.

“An initial estimate of nearly $4,500 was given to fill a request for emails to and from the governor’s staff on the day of the alert,” an AP story reported.

Granted, some requests are fulfilled promptly and completely. Others may be frivolous and vexatious. But on the whole, a government of the people should presume a public record is just that — one that belongs to the people, and thus accessible to anyone.