StarBulletin.com

Homeless evacuate beaches on Leeward Oahu


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POSTED: Saturday, February 27, 2010

Before dawn, many of the homeless on the Leeward Coast had already packed up and moved inland.

Cars packed gas stations and people filled convenience stores along Farrington Highway, filling gas tanks and picking up food and water.

City “;evacuation”; buses were going up and down shoreline areas to give free rides to anyone who needs to get out of the inundation zone. They were taking people to safe areas until the “;all clear”; is sounded by Civil Defense.

People who need rides can flag down the buses and don't have to wait at bus stops, Cummings said.

More than 100 people were at Nanakuli Intermediate and High School by 8 a.m.

Wrapped in a towel to keep warm from the chilly air, Levi Esene and his relatives played cards under an open canopy tent in the parking lot of the school.

A neighbor alerted them to evacuate from their Nanakuli home. “;We feel pretty safe up here,”; said Esene. “;