HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-07-26 Community Clean-up at Old Airport Park in Kona -- press release
Wil Okabe
Managing Director
Harry Kim
Mayor
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
County of Hawai‘i
Office of the Mayor
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 (808) 961-8211 Fax (808) 961-6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg. C Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740
(808) 323-4444 Fax (808) 323-4440
July 26, 2017
NEWS RELEASE
Community Clean-up at Old Airport Park in Kona
The County of Hawai'i will enforce a no-camping policy at the Old Airport Park in Kona from
Wednesday, August 2, 2017, and all belongings and housing structures in the park must be
removed by that date. This is aimed at improving this facility as a community park.
Homeless people camping at the park are being instructed to leave, and a limited number of
spaces at homeless shelters are available to receive them.
In the meantime, Outreach workers from HOPE Services, Veterans Outreach, the West Hawai'i
Health Clinic, Access Capabilities, County Parks and Recreation, Office of Housing and
Community Development, the Mayor’s Office (Kona), and faith-based volunteers, have been
reaching out to the people living in the park.
HOPE Services is coordinating existing housing inventory, and available housing options are
being offered to the most vulnerable homeless people first, i.e., families, the elderly, chronically
homeless, as well as those with substance abuse or mental health issues.
“HOPE Services is doing their very best to house those who qualify in the short time we have
before August 2,” said Assistant Housing Administrator Lance Niimi, who asked that the public
notify his office if other housing options may be made immediately available for the homeless.
“Every bed space helps.”
“This is a comprehensive effort involving the community, State and County government, service
organizations, businesses and volunteers, to make this a better place,” Niimi said.
The Mayor’s Office is currently in negotiations for a possible alternative site for the homeless in
the vicinity, which could become available by the end of the year.
The Police Department will be monitoring to ensure that campers do not return to the park. The
enforcement takes place as the Department of Parks and Recreation gears up for clean-up
efforts on Wednesday, August 9 and Thursday, August 10, 2017.
For further information, please contact Lance Niimi at 961-8379.
County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.