MA'ILI — Teams of workers from Wai'anae Coast homeless service agencies fanned out across Ma'ili Beach Park yesterday, inviting tent dwellers to join more than five dozen others who have moved off the beach and into Pai'olu Kaiaulu, the state's new 300-bed emergency shelter in Wai'anae.

U.S. Vets Hawaii, the lead agency overseeing the new shelter, coordinated yesterday's effort.

Shelter options were explained to those living on the beach, and some were transported to and from the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center for the tuberculosis shot required before applicants can enter the shelter. There was no charge for the shots.

Several shelter residents, such as Alice Greenwood, a pure Hawaiian and former Ma'ili Beach Park occupant, came along to offer encouragement to those remaining.

"We're here to ask our friends to come join us," she said.

"We're here to offer help and give them another chance to make the right decision," added Tulutulu Toa, a homeless specialist with the Wai'anae Community Outreach program.

But Toa, who has worked with many who reside on the beaches and in the parks along the 16-mile Wai'anae Coast, was aware that some park dwellers had reservations about the shelter.

"Some of them have concerns about the rules of the shelter," Toa said. "Some of them have criminal records, or outstanding warrants, so that's why they resist."

Darryl Vincent, who heads U.S. Vets Hawaii, said nobody was there to twist arms.

"We're trying to support the city and state and the people who are living here," said Vincent. "We're saying, 'This is the option you have and hopefully you'll make the choice to come to our housing program.'

"Obviously, it's their choice. We want to see if they want to come in, and if they don't, why? And, if they aren't coming by the 27th, what are their plans?"

Ma'ili Beach dwellers have been told by the city that they have until Monday to vacate the park — the day county workers will begin a scheduled cleanup. Starting Tuesday, no camping will be permitted at the park between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Some park occupants, such as Colin "Small Boy" Kahui, 53, and Mae Meacham, 50, have been living on the beach for as long as three years.

Kahui was leaning toward signing up for the shelter. But as a Hawaiian, he wasn't happy about being forced to go.

"I don't feel right that I should have to leave this beach," he said.

Meacham had made up her mind to go to the shelter. But she fretted about her poi dog, Tita, since the shelter isn't able to take pets, and she knew no one who could care for the animal.

"To me, she's my family," said Meacham. "She's taken care of me, so now I need to take care of her."

Bernadette Kaylor, 42 — a relative newcomer to tent living, having lost her home only a month ago — said making the decision was especially difficult for her.

"Going into the shelter made me feel like I'd really hit rock bottom — an admission of defeat, basically," she said.

But by midafternoon, Kaylor was one of seven Ma'ili Beach homeless who were on their way to spending their first night in the shelter.

Vincent said the teams will revisit the beach tomorrow for a final outreach before the city closes the park to overnight campers.

Reach Will Hoover at whoover@honoluluadvertiser.com.