The last occupants of "the Bush" section of Keaau Beach Park left peaceably Tuesday, heading to shelters, relatives’ homes or, in some cases, the road shoulder across Farrington Highway.

The action conducted by the city Department of Parks and Recreation, with backup from about 40 police officers, went about as smoothly as city officials had hoped.

There were no arrests or citations issued, and of about a dozen homeless people who were still in their encampments when cleanup crews approached at about 9 a.m., all were in the process of moving out, police Maj. Ray Ancheta said.

The Hawaiian Humane Society, meanwhile, collected five dogs, two chickens and a cat that were roaming around the 1-mile stretch of vegetated beachfront north of the improved section of Keaau Beach Park.

Officials estimated that out of about 200 people living in the area with vegetation and bushes in January, only about 50 remained Monday. That number had dwindled to 12 to 15 Tuesday.

Al Tufono, city deputy parks director, said officials had been expecting to encounter more campers. He credited shelter and service providers from the Wai­anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, Wai­anae Community Outreach and Our Lady of Keaau sanctuary for encouraging campers to seek alternate housing over the last two months.

Several families and individuals entered Wai­anae and Kalaeloa facilities in recent weeks, including two families Tuesday, said Dodie Rivera, case management supervisor for Wai­anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center. Others are staying with family or moved their encampments elsewhere rather than go into shelters because "some have animals, some do not prefer structure, and some — just by choice."

The city crews picked up 11 bins of valuables that have been tagged and can be picked up by their owners over the next 45 days, city spokes­woman Louise Kim McCoy said.

Still on the property are tons of debris from the camps. The city’s intent is to clear enough of the brush that shielded campers from view of police, Tufono said. He said he expects park crews will need several weeks to complete the work.

Many of those booted from their encampments moved their belongings to the shoulder of the road across Farrington Highway.

Harry Santana, 52, said the north end of area where he and his girlfriend have lived has been left alone by law enforcement during the two years they’ve been there. Signs warning people that they would be trespassing on government land only began appearing several weeks ago, he said.

Santana said after 14 years in prison, he came to the beach to get clean. "I stay out of trouble and look what happens," he said.