Authorities conduct homeless sweep at Kewalo Basin Park
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM
State officials initiated a sweep of the homeless encampment at Kewalo Basin Park 2 a.m. today. Johnny Kaawa and his girlfriend Samantha Rodrigues, 19, sat on their moped and trailer with their belongings on the corner of Kewalo Basin next to Ala Moana Beach Park as the sun rose this morning. Rodrigues said she’s been homeless since she was 11.
The state initiated a sweep of Kewalo Basin Park early today to enforce park closure hours.
The sweep started at approximately 2 a.m. Officials from the Institute for Human Services and the Kalihi Palama Health Center were on site to assist the homeless.
It’s unclear how many homeless people were at Kewalo at the time of the sweep.
State Homeless Coordinator Scott Morishige, who was at park early this morning, said they have partnered with the city to provide buses for individuals interested in going to a shelter.
Only one individual pursued that option, said Morishige. The individual was transported to a shelter at the Institute for Human Services and enrolled in the state Housing First program.
“At the end of the day, our ultimate goal is really to get individuals off the street and into permanent housing,” he said.
The park closure hours at Kewalo Basin are from 10 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. daily.
Morishige noted many items left behind by the homeless were picked up by a private contractor and stored at an offsite warehouse.
Of the sweep, 19-year-old Samantha Rodrigues who has been living at the park for nine months said, “This is just ridiculous.”
A woman who declined to give her name was tearful and frustrated by the enforcement. “Fo’ real, where the (expletive) are we going to go?”
24 responses to “Authorities conduct homeless sweep at Kewalo Basin Park”
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I go diving out of Kewalo Basin quite a bit. My experiences with the homeless people living there have been very positive. They have always been polite and I’ve never been given cause to worry about my car or personal possessions. I guess I’m kind of sorry to see them “swept.”
I didn’t read anything about ADVANCE NOTICE, and at 2AM–when they were awakened they were probably startled and overcome with fear. How many rational decision would you make when hostily and alarmingly awakened at 2AM? Apparently, most of these persons left behind their personal belongings. Doesn’t sound to me like these Homeless persons were coherent. Why 2AM? Why not 10PM? Yes, the park closure hours are posted; and, the alleged “Authorities(sounds Gestapo to me)” could have waited. Why not have the “Authorities” waiting at the entrances and walking around with megaphones–warning all that within a few minutes they will be removed? How many were Kapuna and Keiki? We condemn the actions of the likes of “Isis”, et al and yet we support and employ the same tactics(?)… MERRY CHIRSTMAS..; (no wonder he’s not coming back).
If you were “Jesus”—would you come back a 2nd time? In the great writings–of the ever so grandiose BIBLES—HE/JESUS WAS HOMELESS…
Time doesn’t matter. They were there illegally and needed to be relocated. They had a choice. If you happen to be one of those living there, come back to earth and get help!
Thank goodness the authorities nevah chop off their heads like ISIS does.
They had a bus to take them to a shelter, why was that lady who swore so mad, they made an effort to take them to shelter and only one person went
Yup, she had a place to go.
Are their IDs ever verified?
I would hope so.
A woman who declined to give her name was tearful and frustrated by the enforcement. “Fo’ real, where the (expletive) are we going to go?” Umm….oh I don’t know, maybe to the shelter?
Sorry girlie. Get your act together. You’re 19. Get a job or go to school to better yourself. There has been many like yourself who became successful from a homeless situation but they have one thing you don’t. Perseverance. Will. Strength of spirit and heart. Help is all around you. Open your eyes and pick yourself off of the ground. Stop pitying yourself.
Go to the SHELTER that they are providing you! FREE !! Sheesh!!!
2 AM? Why then? Why not during daylight hours? I know it’s not, but it sounds harsh and punative. Watch out here comes the ACLU.
The park is open in the daytime, closed at night.
Where will these people camp out next? I see their trashed sites all over the City. One or more had actually set up their tents on our private property. I know they want a place to live and construct their elaborate camps/tents but why do they think they can camp any where they want?
Because nobody said no and meant it!
Why doesn’t the State or City set aside some site they can camp instead of building and staffing elaborate structures for them and taking forever because of the bureaucratic morass.
I agree. A safe haven situation. But then no drinking no drugs got rules. Never mind that 5 letter word “rules” again.
If you break the law you should suffer the consequences. They had an alternative – get on the bus. Guess most of them do not want to go to a shelter where they can not drug and drink anytime they want.
Exactly!
Put them on a round the world cruise ship…with social services and job placement…..out of sight, out of mind……cheaper than ER or these sweeps.
The sweep was necessary however I do not like the fact that it was done at 2:00 am. It should have been done at maybe 6:00 am instead and the people given
time to gather whatever stuff they wanted/needed to take with them. Conducting the sweep at 2:00 am is just mean. These people need to be treated humanely.
They are not animals.
At first I thought the same thing. But 2:00 am does make sense. Maybe that’s when most of them are actually there and awake. And if they are sleeping, so what? Knowing this may happen again is just one more good reason to stay in a shelter or find another lifestyle.
Micronesian stronghold.