Graffiti mars the Kuhio Mini Park No. 2 and bus stop, which has become a gathering place for the homeless, drug users, prostitutes and others who loiter or commit crime.

"We’ve had all kinds of complaints about that area and the police have gotten lots of calls," said Waikiki Neighborhood Board Chairman Bob Finley. "Homeless people use it as a public toilet. They harass bus riders and panhandle. Others hide in the bushes so they can commit crimes in the dark places."

But the Honolulu Police Department and Waikiki community members have plans to put their own mark on the tiny park at 2476 Kuhio Ave., between Kapuni Street and Liliuokalani Ave­nue. Student artists will paint a historic mural over the graffiti, which covers the parks’ concrete walls. Volunteers and community organizers also will assist by cutting back shrubbery and installing additional lighting to make it harder for criminals to hide in the 0.12-acre space. Afterward, the police will organize Waikiki neighborhood security stops at the park to keep it clean and crime-free.

The idea behind the project, which has been funded to the tune of $15,000 by Waikiki businesses, organizations and the city, is to fight crime by restoring neighborhood pride to the area, said HPD officer Tony Kalahui, who is part of the Waikiki community policing team.

"This is about finding out what the community wants and putting it into action," Kalahui said. "We are placing the responsibility on the community to work side-by-side with the police to solve the community’s problems."

Officer John DeMello said the idea, which police hope to spread throughout the community and other neighborhoods, came about after police received a call from a resident who was tired of seeing graffiti mar her balcony views.

"She wanted to paint the park walls herself, but we were concerned that it would be just another blank slate for graffiti artists to decorate," DeMello said.

After brainstorming with Waikiki businesses and residents, the Waikiki community policing team decided it would take more than just one coat of paint to solve the problem, Kalahui said.

So it turned to 808 Urban, a collective of artists, organizers and volunteers committed to improving the quality of life in their communities through art. Started six years ago by graffiti artist John "Prime" Hina, the organization has created more than 50 murals throughout Hawaii and has inspired local high school artists to use art as a platform to develop their own leadership skills.

"In all of our work, we strive to integrate the highest levels of artistic innovation with grass-roots cultural organizing for systemic, progressive social change," Hina said.

Hina has put together a team of students and alumni from Waipahu High School, Punahou School, Farrington High School and Kamehameha Schools to design and paint a mural that will beautify the park and help return cultural identity to Waikiki. While the mural will be good for Waikiki, Hina said, it also creates a valuable learning tool for Hawaii’s youth.

"Many of the artists don’t understand the value of staying in school," he said. "We had to use history to research the mural, we had to use our English skills to tell the story, and we’ll have to use math to measure the walls. Using these skills shows them that they need an education in addition to their art."

Other projects have already influenced some at-risk students to stay in school, Hina said.

The students, who are meeting every Saturday to prepare for the mural, plan to begin painting on Sept. 10, he said.

The mural, which is based on the story of Kauakahi, the battle of the pueo, will be unveiled on Sept. 15 in time for Aloha Week, Kalahui said.

"Youth arts programs are a powerful crime prevention tool, offering safe, engaging constructive environments for young people interested in street art," he said. "Engaging youth in creating artwork is instrumental to transforming negative behavior into constructive action."

Several businesses, including the Hilton Waikiki Prince Kuhio, which is next to the park, are supporting efforts to improve the park’s landscaping and bolster lighting.

"Many of our associates have to take the bus from that park," said Thomas Foti, Hilton Waikiki general manager. "They didn’t complain, but it didn’t seem like a safe environment."

Foti said the hotel contributed to the project because it wants to see the area improved for hotel workers, Waikiki residents and visitors.

Police hope the project and the support from businesses like the Hilton will help turn the neighborhood around, said HPD officer Paul Navares.

"Some people think it’s just a coat of paint, but it brings back community pride and foot traffic," Navares said. "Also, the neighbors will watch over the mural and make sure no one touches. Their initiative will indirectly reduce crime."

While lots of time and energy has been spent making Kalakaua Avenue shine, other parts of Waikiki still need sprucing up, he said.

"We’ll do everything that we can on our side, but the more help we have from the community the better," Navares said. "We want to fix problems, not just put a Band-Aid on them."

To that end, HPD officer Tiare Saringan is organizing a neighborhood security watch to protect the park and the surrounding community.

"They’ll be the eyes and ears for the department," Saringan said.