In the wake of the assault of state Rep. Tom Brower, Kakaako stakeholders are renewing efforts to address the jurisdictional and social issues that have contributed to a threefold increase since last fall in tents occupied by the homeless.
On Thursday the city will award a contract to operate the Hale Mauliola modular housing pilot project in Sand Island, said Jesse Broder Van Dyke, Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s spokesman. Broder Van Dyke said the city also plans to award the contract for a community assistance program that will reach out to mentally ill homeless residents and those from the Federated States of Micronesia.
"Our efforts are focused islandwide, and ultimately the only solution to homelessness across Oahu is going to be more housing," Broder Van Dyke said. "Homelessness is a problem with no easy solution, but by working together as a community, we can make an impact."
Supporters say the new initiatives will alleviate some of Kakaako’s growing homeless problem because they are geared to helping people suffering from mental illness, substance abuse or physical problems — who are generally the most difficult to place into shelters.
Naysayers, however, question whether the efforts are broad enough to meet the full spectrum of Kakaako’s changing needs.
Homeless campers are drawn to Kakaako — an area they consider a safe zone — because the region is not covered by the city’s sit-lie laws and there have been challenges implementing the city’s stored property and sidewalk nuisance laws there. The jurisdictional issue has led to a perceived lack of enforcement by city and state government and other area landowners, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Kamehameha Schools and the Hawaii Community Development Association.
"The most recent enforcement in Kakaako took place late last year," Broder Van Dyke said, adding that city crews conduct enforcement five days each week at Oahu locations where there are more complaints.
As such, the spread of sit-lie laws and other homeless enforcement actions beyond Waikiki has caused an increase in homeless tents in Kakaako — from 65 in mid-September to 183 Tuesday, said Scott Morishige, executive director of PHOCUSED, which collects data for homeless service providers.
"Nurses have reported a tripling of tents in less than a year’s time," Morishige said. "Originally, providers saw mostly families in Kakaako, who were there due to economic reasons. Come January, after sit-lie spread to downtown and Chinatown, they began to see an influx of singles, who have much higher acuities, mental health and substance abuse concerns."
The influx of a more chronically homeless population of singles in Kakaako has spread tents beyond a concentrated site near the Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center to as far as Kewalo Basin and Waikiki Health’s Next Step Shelter, which is on OHA land.
"With the growing health and safety issues in this area, we would support additional enforcement," said Garrett Kamemoto, communications manager for OHA, which shares ownership and kuleana of nine parcels.
Over the last year, Kamemoto said, Kakaako stakeholders have worked with the city and state to discuss housing and outreach options. They also want to close the gap on geographical loopholes, which hinder law enforcement.
"We’ve been meeting for a year. I’ve started to hear some solutions that sound promising, but it’s complicated," Kamemoto said.
While the city has jurisdiction over sidewalks and roads, the state has jurisdiction over planning and zoning in the Kakaako special zone, said Cindy McMillian, a spokeswoman for Gov. David Ige.
"The jurisdictional mishmash in Kakaako has been a significant obstacle to effective enforcement there," Broder Van Dyke said.
For instance, Ohe and Olomehani streets are owned by the city, while surrounding properties belong to either OHA, Kamehameha Schools, the University of Hawaii or HCDA, he said.
Early in Caldwell’s administration, Broder Van Dyke said, the city did not enforce sidewalk nuisance and stored property laws in Kakaako Waterfront Park because HCDA park rules, including a ban on camping, apply there. "Sheriffs, not the city, conduct enforcement of those park rules," he said.
However, in 2013, Kakaako’s deteriorating condition motivated the city to partner with HCDA and the state sheriffs to coordinate law enforcement. Broder Van Dyke said the city also invited OHA, Kamehameha Schools and UH to partner, but the response varied.
"This has resulted in individuals living on the sidewalks removing their property to the adjacent properties owned by OHA, Kamehameha Schools or the University of Hawaii; standing by and watching as the city crews power-wash and clean the city sidewalks; then returning to their original location on the sidewalk as soon as the city crew has departed," he said.
Morishige said serving Kakaako’s homeless population requires a coordinated and diverse approach.
"It’s not one size fits all," he said. "In the past, providers were working to engage the population with job training and rental assistance. Now they are dealing with more severe mental health concerns."
