Twenty individuals who have been camping in front of the Kona Community Aquatic Center were relocated Friday morning by a coordinated effort between county departments and service providers.
“It took a lot of moving parts and conversation to make sure we didn’t have to use our last resort, police enforcement,” said Maurice Messina, director of the Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation.
Messina said the camping problem began about a month ago when the county hired security to patrol Old Kona Airport at night, resulting in people moving from the bushes inside the park to the more visible area on Kuakini Highway.
“But moving there opened them up for services,” he said.
He said his office, as well as the Hawaii Police Department’s Community Policing Division were flooded with calls from concerned citizens.
“HOPE Services and other providers met with them Thursday night to offer services,” he said.
Carrie Ho‘opi‘i, a HOPE Services outreach worker, said all of the individuals accepted help with four couples moving into Ka Lamaku, the tiny houses at Old Kona Airport. The remaining were placed at the West Hawaii Emergency Shelter on Pawai Place. There were no children at the site.
Messina said HOPE Services worked to make room for those individuals.
“We didn’t want to just trespass them, taking them from one park to another,” he said. “Just moving them doesn’t solve the problem.”
The relocated individuals were grateful for the assistance.
“The police were doing their job and being respectful,” said Stephen. “I haven’t slept this good in a long time now that I’m in the shelter. Now I can make it to work on time.”
Stephen thanked his employer Daleco Battery for its understanding and everyone who had a hand in getting into a better living situation.
Julie had a message for the community.
“People need to remember that this can happen to anybody,” she said. “I was raised by good people and have a college education but one wrong choice sent me into a downward spiral that led me to being homeless,” she said. “Now I have a safe place where I can get a better life for myself and my dog.”
After the individuals loaded up their belongings and were transport to new temporary housing, county crews removed seven trucks full of rubbish to be taken to the landfill.
“Everybody came together to make this happen,” said Messina. “People can now safely enter the parking lot.”