ALOHA FOR THE HOMELESS

City seeks ways to limit campers

By Leila Fujimori
lfujimori@starbulletin.com

Roy Thompson, 43, says he has been living in a tent at Kapiolani Park since he was released from prison in April because job-placement programs did not come through for him.

"They said, 'Do what you do best,'" he said. "I'm a thief. I don't want to do that. I do recycling now." He cannot afford rent on the $20 to $40 a day he gets collecting cans.

Soccer moms at the park were wary of Thompson and dozens of other homeless people camping about 200 feet from where their daughters practice and play.

City Parks Department officials say they have had a significant jump in recent complaints about people camping or living in the area. Police have noticed an increase in the number of campers, but it is currently not illegal to camp in the park, said Honolulu Police Department spokeswoman Michelle Yu.

Cherri Masaki, 40, who has two daughters who play soccer in the park, said, "If I had a choice, I'd have them removed. I know people are having a hard time, but this park is so heavily used. There's youth all over. It's scary. Our girls have to go in groups to the bathrooms."

Christine Asuncion, 36, whose 14-year-old daughter plays soccer, said, "If the balls go down (near the homeless), we don't let the girls go. We get the balls."

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IT'S RARE TO FIND A PERSON MOLESTE A CHILD IN A CROWD.

THERE ARE MANY HOMELESS WHO ARE MORAL AND DECENT PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT DONE TIME, DON'T DO DRUGS AND HAVE STRONG PERSONALITIES, INCLUDING WOMEN AND FAMILIES THAT LIVE IN THE PARK.

EVEN THE CODE OF SOME FORMER INCARCEREES WOULD NOT PERMIT THEM TO DO HARM TO CHILDREN. LET'S FIND A WAY TO HELP THOSE WITH PREJUDICES ABOUT THE HOMELESS


NOT HOMELESS

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