Officials sweep 42 homeless camps and clear out 190 tons of trash from Sand Island

State law enforcement officers conducted a sweep this week at the Sand Island State Recreation Area following complaints of squatters yelling at beachgoers and dogs chasing people.

Officers from the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement cleared 42 illegal campsites at Sand Island, state officials said.

Contractors removed about 190 tons of trash in three days, according to Department of Land and Natural Resources spokesman Dan Dennison. Bicycles and bike parts, mopeds, power tools, welding equipment, power tools, generators and cooking utensils were among the items hauled away during the cleanup.

Though camping at Sand Island is allowed with a permit, officials said nearly 100 people were illegally camping in tents and makeshift tarp structures.

Pua Aiu, homeless coordinator with the land agency, said, “This is a public beach, and we’ve been getting complaints that dogs are chasing people and squatters are yelling at people.”

A notice to vacate was posted at the recreation area a week before the cleanup. Outreach workers offered shelter services and other services to homeless individuals, but most declined assistance, Aiu said.

“It’s frustrating because most people on DLNR lands refuse any help or services. We realize in Hawaii it’s tough for many people to afford housing. Some people make a conscious decision that they just want to camp,” she said.

Most individuals left the area before the cleanup began but returned soon after. It’s hard to keep the recreation area clear of illegal campers without daily enforcement, Aiu said.

The state stores personal items hauled away during the cleanup for 30 days and provides information to affected individuals on the storage location to retrieve the items.

Outreach teams from the Kalihi-Palama Health Center and the Institute for Human Services have been consistently conducting outreach at Sand Island.

State homeless coordinator Scott Morishige said social service providers have offered individuals access to shelters and to the Honolulu Police Department’s Provisional Outdoor Screening and Triage program at Keehi Lagoon.

“I think having that coordination with the many partners at the table is critical,” Morishige said.

For some, a shelter is not the best solution, as an individual might need mental health services or assistance with substance abuse treatment.

The cleanups do not address the homeless issue, Morishige said, adding that there is much outreach work conducted before and after cleanups. Making that initial connection and having them share information about themselves is the first step on a path toward stability, he said.

Connie Mitchell, executive director of the Institute for Human Services, said there is space available at the emergency shelters in Iwilei.

Bed space capacity at the organization’s emergency shelters has been modified in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Bed space at the Sumner men’s shelter, for instance, is 69, a decrease from 112 as bunk beds have been altered to single beds that are spaced farther apart.

Robust testing and additional medical support are in place at shelters to prevent a recurrence of a COVID-19 outbreak at IHS. Mitchell said, “We are very vigilant about that because of the experience we had.”

In August, 46 out of 70 clients who were isolated or quarantined due to an outbreak at the men’s shelter had tested positive. The outbreak resulted in the death of Willie Reopoamo Talamoa, a guest services assistant at IHS.

Space is also available at the the organization’s specialty shelters to accommodate veterans, individuals undergoing outpatient substance abuse treatment and medical respite homes for individuals undergoing medical treatments.

Mitchell said the organization’s Hale Mauliola Navigation Center at Sand Island offers temporary housing for homeless individuals and couples.

If space is full at the shelters, outreach workers or law enforcement refer individuals to the POST program at Keehi Lagoon operated by the HPD’s Community Outreach Unit.

The unit was not involved in outreach efforts at Sand Island. However, acting Lt. Joseph “Dan” O’Neal, who oversees the POST program and the Community Outreach Unit, said there is ample space available at Keehi Lagoon.

Sixty-one people were sheltering in 55 tents at Keehi Lagoon as of Friday. “We still have tons of capacity,” O’Neal said.

The program is an extension of the Homeless Outreach and Navigation for Unsheltered Persons program, which was created to expand availability of overnight bed space when shelters are full. It was also created to provide assistance to individuals who seek shelter outside of designated intake hours.

Intake at POST is open 24 hours, seven days a week. Transportation is also provided to Keehi Lagoon, which can accommodate up to 150 campground sites. The program provides a toiletry care package, tent, multiple meals a day, medical services, water and other services.

To date, the POST program has served nearly 630 people since it opened in April.