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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Kapiolani Park curbside land also off-limits to campers, city says


Advertiser Staff

The city says a strip of land where a homeless encampment has been set up in Waikïkï is part of Kapiçolani Park, and thus off-limits to camping

The decision closes what some had thought was a loophole that would have allowed the homeless to camp there.
The encampment, which has had as many as 40 homeless, was located on a strip of land about 6 feet wide between the sidewalk at Kapi'olani Park and Kalakaua Avenue.
Today, the encampment was moved out so parks crews could perform regular maintenance in the area.
But there were questions about whether the campers would be able to return if the city couldn’t determine if the property was under the city Parks Department — and so subject to park rules.
At a news conference this afternoon, the mayor said the strip of land is under the Parks Department.
He said the area will be closed nightly, along with the rest of Kapiçolani Park.
“We’re going to enforce the rules like we do with the rest of the park,” he said.
Meanwhile, the city said it will beautify the area and also address sanitation concerns.
While that work is underway, the strip of land will be closed.