ALOHA,

HOMELESS CRISIS WEST OAHU

On the news of late is the eviction of the last "major" homeless encampment on city property - click here to see television coverage.

I went out to Keaau Beach Park and surrounding coastline on April 17 and spent a few hours talking to some of the folks that were still packing up their belongings and contemplating where they will go to call home.

Each person I talked to was looking for work and wanted a job. Some admitted they had no skills and lacked an education but would gladly work on a farm tending to crops, or offer their labor in any way they could to get out of the bushes.

There was trash all over the place and to give you a glimpse - I made this short youtube:

Many seeking shelter relocated to the Waianae Boat Harbor area and some went up into the hills out of the cleanup zone.

I will continue to fight for the right of property owners on agricultural lots that are away from residential housing areas to station retrofitted shipping containers, pre-fabricated and modular homes on their property. Unfortunately, government is in the way and blocking my initiative that would let the private sector have a crack at this problem and do what government has been unable to accomplish for decades.

For the folks out in the bushes that I met today, not only is purchasing a home out of reach, but so are the rents. With my shipping container solution, rent would be less than a car payment.

LATEST COMMUNICATION ON MAKAHA BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT

I have requested information about Kili Drive - to find out if the road has been fully permitted and this is the response - click here.

I am hoping the Waianae Neighborhood Board puts on its agenda for May 1, the issue of the Shoreline Setback Variance regarding the Makaha Bridges and takes a position to write a letter to the city's Department of Planning and Permitting in opposition of the project so that the project is done right. Read the communication - click here.