'EWA BEACH — Tarps, rugs, tires, plastic containers and other debris that once formed a series of about 30 encampments of homeless people at the far end of One'ula Beach Park were removed yesterday by several dozen community members, police officers and a work crew from O'ahu Community Correctional Facility.

Three people were told to leave the section of park being cleaned, also popularly known as Hau Bush, and they did so without resistance.

Police Sgt. Mike Cannella said he and other officers went through the area two weeks ago warning people about the action that was to be taken yesterday as a result of complaints raised by parkgoers and others in the community. At that point, he said, there were about 25 people in the wooded and dug-out encampments, as well as about 30 vehicles along the shoreline nearby that belonged to people who were staying at the beach overnight.

Most chose to leave before yesterday's action, Cannella said. Many of them were helped by homeless advocates who canvassed the area in the last week, and several were placed in West O'ahu homeless facilities. "We let the people living here know that we were going to be back in a couple of weeks and that whatever was left would be deemed trash," he said.

The structures were razed not to kick out the homeless, he said, but to ensure the health and safety of the public.

There were no restroom facilities in the encampments, and the living conditions were unsanitary, Cannella said. During the cleanup, mongooses accustomed to intermingling with humans did not dash away but observed from close by without any fear, he said.

In addition, there have been repeated complaints about illegal activities ranging from late-night drinking to drug-dealing.

Police officer Keola Kopa, whose beat includes the park, worked with fellow lifelong 'Ewa Beach resident Kurt Fevella to organize yesterday's action. Kopa estimated the encampment had been in place for at least four years, and he said many anglers and other parkgoers are uneasy about using the area.

"This area over here is known across the island now as one of the spots you can pick up drugs, or run and hide out," Kopa said. "The community was pretty much begging for our help."

It's not the first such action, and Cannella and others involved in the cleanup said they expect the homeless to return. People are allowed to stay overnight at the park so long as they are not in walled structures, Cannella said. "It'll be a smaller community, but they'll come back," he said.

Jackie Tomisa, 56, one of those who left the encampment yesterday, said it was transient homeless people who caused trouble with drinking and drugs, while regulars such as herself did not break any laws and stayed away from the rest of the community. "It's like we're invisible, nobody knows we're in there."

Tomisa, who will be staying with family for now, was bitter at the action because it took away her shelter and many of her belongings. "We get nothing now," she said.

Diane Lagon, one of those living in the encampments, said she will move her belongings and her dog Manapo'o elsewhere in 'Ewa Beach. Lagon, 47, said she applied to go to a shelter but was told she would not be allowed to bring her dog.

Fisherman Jimmy Shroads, of Waipahu and formerly of 'Ewa Beach, said it has been getting more and more difficult to fish at Hau Bush.

"They made homestead on all the good spots," said Shroads, a 61-year-old retiree.

Shroads said that while he views the cleanup as a good thing, he also has empathy for homeless people who need somewhere to go. "No can help. They no more anyplace to go."

The only time they irk him is when they steal beverages from his cooler, he said.