Question: Is the government aware that more homeless people seem to be living out of cars parked along the Ka Iwi coast between Sandy Beach and Baby Makapuu?
Answer: Yes.
Scott Morishige, Gov. David Ige’s coordinator on homelessness, said that the state, through the Department of Human Services, contracts the Institute for Human Services to provide homeless outreach in the area of East Oahu that you and other readers described. “I.H.S. outreach workers have visited the area, and offered shelter and other housing resources to homeless individuals in this vicinity,” he said.
Kokua Line has received several calls recently saying that the number of people parking all night, although small and scattered, is growing. We’ve also received related complaints about aggressive, free-roaming dogs scaring children trying to explore the area’s tide pools during the day; about garbage, including human and dog waste; and about a general trashing of the natural coastline that environmentalists and others have spent years protecting from development.
From most callers’ descriptions, vehicles are not parked all night in the Sandy Beach parking lot, but a few are tucked among the naupaka on sandy or rocky shoreline near the intersection of Kealahou Street and Kalanianaole Highway. Others were reported farther up the coast, especially across from Sea Life Park.
Based on the descriptions, the locations appear to be under the city’s jurisdiction, Morishige said.
Jesse Broder Van Dyke, a spokesman for Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, said concerns should be directed to the city’s Office of Housing, by phone at 768-4675 or email to OfficeofHousing@honolulu.gov.
Additionally, Morishige said the public may contact the Governor’s Office on Homelessness by phone at 586-0193 or by email at gov.homelessness@hawaii.gov to request information about homeless services or to report an unauthorized encampment on government land anywhere in Hawaii. “If someone is unsure of jurisdiction, they can contact my office, and we can research jurisdiction and dispatch to the appropriate service provider or government agency,” he said.
Anyone who sees a crime being committed or feels threatened should call police at 911. Some readers who described themselves as kamaaina said they were reluctant to go back after their children or grandchildren were chased by dogs or yelled at by men they perceived as homeless.
Auwe
Auwe to the party of three out in the water at Pokai Bay on Sunday. As a pod of dolphins swam by, one of the party members raced by me in her kayak chasing the animals, coming dangerously close to whacking breaching dolphins with her paddle and ultimately scaring them off. The captain of the boat nearby was right in raising his voice at your group specifically noting to “learn about the animals that you are swimming with.” Not only did it put a damper on my experience, but I’m sure the paying members of the boat’s dolphin tour were disappointed by their actions as well. Compassion for marine life is more important than what I imagine will be your Instagram shot with a caption noting how much of a sea-lover you are. — Jordan
E kala mai
My apologies to the woman I cut off to get parking at Kahala Mall on Monday. If I wasn’t so impatient, I would have noticed her car waiting there. It’s a small island, and if I see her again I want her to know I am sorry. — Distracted driver
Mahalo
I want to say a big “thank you” to Kevin M. A while ago my husband lost his wallet at Ala Moana beach. Kevin found his wallet and proceeded to walk around the beach trying to locate him, based on his ID. He found my husband sitting with his friends. We are so lucky that such a kind and honest person was willing to help us. — Grateful senior
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.
