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Homeless Find Loophole In Law

City Tries To Rid Tourist Area Of Campers

POSTED: 4:27 pm HST November 21, 2009
UPDATED: 11:38 am HST November 22, 2009

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Homeless camping in Kapiolani Park in the heart of the Waikiki tourist district is a problem the city can't make go away.

Those campers have found a new loophole in the law to allow them to live full-time in the park next to Waikiki's Queen's Beach.

When the Hannemann administration tried to kick out campers in Kapiolani Park in April, the homeless quickly found a way around the law. They would move their tents back each day before sunrise.

The campers discovered how to stay night and day on a grass strip between the park and the road.

Nathan Anderson, from Pennsylvania, is out of work and said the city should find another place for them.

"Obviously it's Hawaii and it is going to be over run with homeless people, especially in the winter season. Back home, where I am from, it is very cold right now," Anderson said.

He admitted that the area is getting grubby.

"I think it looks terrible," Anderson said.

Kaimuki resident Bernard Vegas said he walks in the park everyday.

"It is not too good and nobody is doing anything about it. It started at one time about three tents and now it is about 20 tents of more," Vegas said. "Tourists passing by don't it like too -- they are shaking their heads."

Raquel Saldana, of Hawaii Kai, who was walking her dogs, said she was also upset.

"It is not that great to see people camping during the day time, throughout the night whether they are in their cars or a tent," Saldana said.

City spokesman Bill Brennan said the city is aware of the situation and is trying to determine who has jurisdiction over the strip of grass.

City police, prosecutors, corporation council and parks department are meeting to see if it is park property and if not, how to get the homeless campers to move.

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