Question: Regarding the question about homeless people living on the pedestrian island at the intersection of Ala Moana Boulevard and Atkinson Drive (808ne.ws/ 2aO1Lh2 Opens in a new tab): If the state Department of Transportation lacks an enforcement mechanism, could it give the city jurisdiction over that area, so that the city could enforce its sit-lie, stored property and sidewalk nuisance ordinances? …
Answer: Yes, in a manner, and the city and state are in negotiations to accomplish that. The process involves the state granting the city “right of entry” at that location, which is under the jurisdiction of the state Department of Transportation.
The state and city have previously entered such agreements. “For example, the state provided right of entry to the city to allow it to assist with enforcement efforts on the mauka and makai sidewalks of Ala Moana Boulevard in Kakaako Makai and had offered to extend the same right of entry to the city for the traffic island on Atkinson Drive,” said Julie Ford, a special assistant in the Office of the State Homelessness Coordinator.
Ross Sasamura, director of the city’s Department of Facility Maintenance, confirmed that the discussion is underway.
“The city remains committed to keeping sidewalks and public spaces accessible. The city is currently negotiating with the Hawaii Department of Transportation to extend the existing right of entry to the traffic island at Atkinson Drive and Ala Moana Boulevard,” he said. “Once it’s finalized, the expanded ROE will allow the Department of Facility Maintenance to enforce the city’s ordinances there.”
The city’s enforcement focuses on removing personal property illegally stored on government property and removing obstructions on sidewalks that pose hazards to pedestrians, he said.
This is costly work, in terms of time, manpower and other resources.
Thus far, the city has not received “any funding or reimbursement (from the state) for expenses relating to enforcement actions on state-owned or operated properties,” Sasamura confirmed.
Asked whether the state’s “offer” of right of entry should more accurately be described as a request for the city to pick up the slack, Sasamura demurred. “I view the matter as an opportunity for the City and County of Honolulu to help the state of Hawaii Department of Transportation with a situation that presents public health and safety and traffic safety hazards,” he said. “Our crews are in the area regularly, we understand the HDOT has many competing priorities, and the jurisdictional limits aside, we want to help improve conditions there for residents and visitors.”
Kokua Line also followed up with Scott Morishige, the state’s homelessness coordinator, who said one of the homeless men previously living on the traffic island entered an emergency shelter last week, “and we’re continuing outreach with the two guys who are still there.”
Several readers reacted to Tuesday’s column with dismay that the situation has persisted so long, and incredulity that the Department of Transportation could not do more to immediately resolve the problem of homeless individuals and their belongings perched amid a busy intersection adjacent to Ala Moana Beach Park and Ala Moana Center.
Among them was state lawmaker Tom Brower, whose House district encompasses the area: “The need to keep the traffic island clear is obvious for the safety of both the homeless and passers-by, and the cleanliness of the neighborhood,” he said. “Traffic islands should not be campsites or storage facilities. Why do I even have to say this?”
Q: Why are emergency sirens going off in East Oahu?
A: The Honolulu Department of Emergency Management reported that emergency sirens malfunctioned Wednesday in Kuliouou and Ahuimanu. There was no emergency. Anyone who hears an outdoor warning siren should check for emergency information on the TV, radio or on official social media (not a friend’s Facebook page). If there is none, assume that it’s a malfunctioning siren and call 911 to report it, according to the department.
Write to “Kokua Line” at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
