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

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