HONOLULU -- The city set a July 19 as an eviction deadline for homeless families camped out near the beach at Maili Point.

Complaints about the growing encampment triggered the decision to clean up the scenic area of the unsightly structures and trash. However, homeless families have asked for a three to four month extension because they are having a hard time finding places to move to.

"Everybody is scared because they don't know where they are going, including me. I don't know where I am going from this step on," said Rose Cheung-Lono who spoke on behalf of the campers at Maili.

One reason why some families say moving to a shelter would be difficult is that most places don't accept pets. Many of the families have multiple dogs. Cheung-Lono said one family even has a pet pig.

The families have met with community outreach workers and state homeless advocates in hopes of being allowed to stay for three or four more months.

"Everybody has their own reasons why we are here. I have my own reason why I am here. The whole thing is to just try and cope. We want to stop the shuffle," Cheung-Lono said.

Cheung-Lono said she counted close to 60 campsites along the shoreline. She knows of no one who has moved. So far, there is little indication that the campers are making efforts to move their campsites elsewhere.

The city said the Waianae Neighborhood Board recommended that officials stick with the July deadline.

City spokesman Bill Brennan said a decision on the extension has not yet been made.

The cleanup is expected to take several weeks.

City Parks Director Lester Chang said most of the leeward coast parks have been cleared of homeless camps. The last area is Keaau, which Chang said is next on the list, but no date has been set.