Updated at 3:05 p.m., Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Service providers go tent to tent, urging homeless to move
Advertiser Staff
Workers from several Wai'anae Coast homeless service provider organizations went tent to tent today at Ma'ili Beach Park, inviting homeless beach dwellers there to join the ranks of some five dozen others already living at Pai'olu Kaiaulu, the state's new around-the-clock emergency homeless shelter in Wai'anae.Ma'ili Beach dwellers have until Monday to vacate the park. At that time, city and county workers will begin a scheduled park cleanup. Starting Tuesday, no camping will be permitted at the park between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
U.S. Vets, the lead agency overseeing the new shelter, coordinated the beach visit. In addition to explaining shelter options to those interested, homeless persons were transported to and from the Wai'anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center for the tuberculosis shot required before entering the shelter. There was no charge for the shots.
Several families and individuals were admitted to the shelter. Tent dwellers now occupy some 60 campsites at the park.
Service providers will return again Friday to repeat the effort.
