Waiahole cleanup to flush out drugs
By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer
WAIAHOLE — Around the bend from Kahalu'u stretches one of O'ahu's newest beach parks, which has transformed tangled overgrowth into a spacious lawn and open view plane. But part of Waiahole Beach Park remains under dense foliage, and nearby residents say it harbors illegal activities and squatters.
The Waiahole and Waikane Community Association wants to change that, so tomorrow volunteers will help clear the overgrowth as part of a continuing effort to unite Windward communities against drug activities.
"Right now we need to do this area because, in the back, there are so many druggies," said David Chinen, president of the community association.
The small rural community lies between Kahalu'u and Kualoa and includes farms, nurseries and some single-family dwellings scattered throughout the lush valleys and shorelines. There was no community park until the city purchased 93 acres of shoreline property in the mid-1990s. But Chinen said Waiahole, like other communities, has seen drug problems, from open drug dealing to the associated thefts and family stress.
This project will bring the community together to fight drug activities in the park, Chinen said.
The project's work area, from Waiahole Steam to a cleared section of the park, is what has been a dumping ground — with as many as 15 cars, a boat and a refrigerator there, according to Chinen.
It's not the first time the community has rallied to clean the park. When the city purchased the land for a park, no money was available for improvements. Instead city crews and the community, including Kahalu'u residents, worked together to remove hau and other overgrowth that blocked the ocean view.
Chinen again has enlisted the help of the Kahalu'u community, the city and the police. Large trash bins have been donated to the effort, and volunteers will separate the trash for easier disposal.
Chinen hopes that between 150 to 200 people will show up. A stew lunch will be served.
Today, to prepare for the main cleanup, the city will help pull derelict autos and large pieces of trash out of the way, Chinen said.
Police have gone into the area to warn squatters to leave and will go in early tomorrow to check the area. There might be five people living in tents amid the overgrowth, officers said.
Bob Nakata, who helped organize the series of recent Kahalu'u community meetings to deal with drug problems, said the cleanup is part of the battle against the invasion of crystal meth-amphetamine, commonly known as ice. But indirectly, it's a way to build a stronger community, Nakata said.
"Our focus is getting communities back together, that whole taking back of the streets," he said. "The stronger the ties are in a community, the less likely you'll have these problems."
Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.
