State crews clear out more than 30 homeless camps at Diamond Head

Updated: Apr. 7, 2021 at 11:08 AM HST
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HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - More than 30 homeless camps on both sides of Diamond Head are being cleared out this week by state Land Department crews.

Officials said the effort part of a larger push to manage threats to state lands.

DLNR said that enforcing “no camping” rules isn’t the only goal. So is finding a solution to homelessness. “Housing is a piece, outreach is a piece and enforcement is a piece of the plan, and if you don’t have all three, it’s not going to work,” said Pua Aiu, homeless coordinator for DLNR.

At Diamond Head, DLNR also worked with case workers from the Institute for Human Services, the city and University of Hawaii social work students to notify homeless of the clean-up and offer them help.

DLNR used a private contractor to store and dispose items found at Diamond Head camp sites.

DLNR will continue clean-ups on its properties throughout April at several locations, including Kapena Falls, Sand Island State Recreational Area and in certain areas of Kapolei and Leeward Oahu.

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