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DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM
The homeless living in a Kakaako encampment were notified that the a sweep clear out Ohe Street and Cooke Street, from Ilalo Street to Ala Moana Boulevard starting Tuesday.
City crews made good on their warnings Tuesday morning and conducted the first targeted sweep in the Kakaako homeless encampment — clearing out Ohe, Cooke and Ilalo streets.
There had been about 30 encampments in the area at one point, but only two empty tents on Cooke Street and one on Ohe Street remained as city maintenance crews began dismantling and removing debris and property.
The city last cleared out the area in November 2014 and has vowed to keep it clear.
However Lindsey Doi, Honoulu Community Development Authority community outreach manager, said keeping the homeless out will be up to a combination of state sheriff’s deputies and Honolulu police officers, who will only be allowed to enforce park rules.
Doi said those rules prohibit overnight camping and use after 10 p.m.
The encampment has been the focus of intense scrutiny as assaults have skyrocketed, including the June 29 mob attack on state Rep. Tom Brower.
Mayor Kirk Caldwell had agreed to delay the first sweep of the encampment — which the city calls “phased enforcement” — until Tuesday in an attempt to help find shelter for as many as possible — particularly families.
