The beachfront at Hale Halawai has been cleared of the homeless encampment thanks to the effort of multiple agencies.
Parks and Recreation, along with Hawaii Police Department Community Policing and Department of Land and Natural Resources, removed 23 individuals who had been camping at the county park early Wednesday morning after signs were erected earlier this month detailing activities prohibited.
Police said the signs gave them the needed enforcement capabilities to remove the growing camp at the county park.
Park rules posted include the following prohibitions:
– Taking any dog, cat or domestic animal on or about any county beach park.
– Allowing any animal in one’s charge or control to soil, defile, defecate on or commit ant nuisance.
– Taking any dog on or about a county park unless it is under control by a suitable leash, not more than six feet long.
– To drink, offer to drink, or display in public view any intoxicating liquors unless authorized by a permit issued by the Hawaii Police Department and subject to compliance with all terms and conditions of said permit.
– To play, use or operate any machine or devise used for reproducing sound that is audible from 50 feet away.
– To smoke or use any tobacco product or electronic smoking device.
– To scatter, throw, drop, deposit, or place any litter other than in a receptacle provided for such purpose.
– Being on or about the park outside park hours (7 a.m. to 8 p.m. unless hours are posted otherwise) without proper authorization of the Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation.
– Disorderly conduct-causing public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating risk.
– Persons under the influence of alcohol, narcotics or other drugs.
– To operate or use audio devices or noise producing devices that unreasonably8 annoy others.
– Residing in park areas.
– Parking in areas not authorized by signs or marked stalls.
– Criminal littering-knowingly placing, throwing or dropping litter except in a litter receptacle.
On Wednesday morning, police enforced these rules after giving the individuals camping at the park ample time to make other arrangements. They were told weeks in advance the enforcement would take place, yet many waited for the last minute to vacate.
Regina Weller of 808 homeless was on hand to offer assistance, previously flying four individuals back to their homes and relocating four more to housing opportunities.
Maurice Messina, Director of Parks and Recreation said the effort was done to return the county parks to the people of Hawaii County.
“Parks are here for our families and keiki to enjoy,” he said. “Enforcement of park rules will happen at all parks on the island.”