JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
The Ala Wai Canal is seen on Wednesday, April 12, 2017 in Waikiki.
Select an option below to continue reading this premium story.
Already a Honolulu Star-Advertiser subscriber? Log in now to continue reading.
So, the homeless are moving into Ala Wai Community Park (from all the parks the city has closed for “maintenance”) and suddenly the outrigger canoes are getting tagged, equipment destroyed and cars vandalized. The backpacks, wallets and keys of a girls’ canoe team were stolen while the crew was paddling in the Ala Wai just steps away.
Ask the park staff and they will tell you about the homeless taking over the bathrooms and locking everyone else out, the unleashed aggressive dogs and the attempts at intimidation. But all anyone tells me is, “Uncle, you’re overreacting.”
No, I’m not. This is a community park with youth programs, the elderly, a dog park, baseball and soccer fields. This is where the community comes to recreate. The community should not have to stand by and be pushed out because the city did not anticipate the fallout of its actions to close other parks.
David Young
Makiki
Click here to read more Letters to the Editor.