State working to address homeless on its property

Question: Homeless campers have taken over the traffic island corner of Atkinson Drive and Ala Moana Boulevard. What an insult and black eye for our city image and tourism! Who has jurisdiction over this location where campers/homeless have set up a permanent tarp tent on a traffic island right in the middle of one of the busiest intersections in the city, where pedestrians and vehicles enter Ala Moana Beach Park and the shopping center? … I have observed … two men lying on mattresses and spitting what appear to be pistachio-nut shells and cigarette butts into the gutter/curb area with not an ounce of concern or civility, forcing people to walk around them while waiting for the light to change. … These homeless vagrants should be removed and allowed to camp in a safer and less obtrusive location.

Answer: Kokua Line has received numerous complaints about this site, which falls under the jurisdiction of the state Department of Transportation — outside the reach of the municipal government’s sit/lie, stored property and sidewalk nuisance ordinances. A DOT spokesman referred our questions to the Office of the State Homeless Coordinator. Julie Ford, a special assistant in that office, said that government and social service officials are working toward a solution; she provides details below.

We also tried to speak to the men you and other readers described as living there, but there was no one around when we stopped by. There was a mound of stuff — covered with a blue tarp and later a gray one — but it was not piled in the direct path of pedestrians crossing the street.

Now, more from Ford:

Q: Does the state DOT have a mechanism (law, administrative rule, etc.) to remove homeless people from property under its jurisdiction?

A: “It is critical to note at the start that the state’s approach to homelessness is rooted in treating people with dignity. In alignment with the State’s Framework to Address Homelessness, our goal is to connect people experiencing homelessness with health and human services and permanent housing.

“The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) recognizes that it has an obligation to maintain its properties. When HDOT receives a complaint alleging that people are unlawfully on its property, HDOT in conjunction with the Governor’s Coordinator on Homelessness, sends service providers and outreach workers to the site to speak to the people about shelter options and connect them to appropriate services. HDOT then notifies law enforcement officials to ensure everyone has vacated the area. When areas are clear, HDOT sends cleanup crews to remove any remaining items left behind.

“Additionally, HDOT regularly conducts outreach and cleanup projects twice a year (in February and August). As a point of reference, each cleanup takes one to two weeks to complete and requires approximately 50 state workers (including sheriffs, HPD, volunteers, social service workers, heavy vehicle and dump truck operators, etc.). Any maintenance or cleaning conducted outside of this schedule is coordinated through HDOT’s Maintenance Services Division.

“With respect to the Atkinson traffic island, the Governor’s Coordinator on Homelessness has accompanied sheriffs and outreach workers to the site. We personally met with people where they live and continue to do so. Outreach workers have identified a unique set of needs facing the people there, including significant health issues. We work closely with multiple agencies to transition people to shelter or permanent housing.”

Q: If (there is no mechanism), why not?

A: “There are no current state laws that are the equivalent of the City and County of Honolulu’s Sidewalk Nuisance Ordinance or Stored Property Ordinance. During this past legislative session, a number of bills — including an administration bill (SB2816) — were introduced that would have addressed the expansion of trespass laws to include state properties that are not currently covered under existing trespass laws. The purpose of these bills was not to address homelessness specifically, but to address issues relating to vandalism and theft on various state properties, including properties under the jurisdiction of HDOT. These bills did not pass out of the Legislature.”

Write to “Kokua Line” at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.