JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM A man walked along Oneula Beach Park in Ewa yesterday, where illegal dumping of trash, appliances, automobiles and other litter has reached an alarming level, bothering those who use the beach and park.

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Hau Bush
garbage
piles up

Illegal dumping spoils the view for
beach goers to Oneula Beach Park

The scenery along the narrow roadway to Oneula Beach Park, where Ewa Beach families flock for good surf and a stellar view, includes rusted refrigerators, tires and old mattresses.

REPORT ILLEGAL DUMPING AT ONEULA BEACH Anyone with information on those who may be involved in dumping trash at Oneula Beach Park can call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cellular phone.

That's on top of the litter -- cups, cans, plastic bags and bottles -- liberally sprinkled in the brush and sand.

Police are looking for the people responsible for illegally dumping at the park, also known as "Hau Bush," and put out a call for the public's assistance.

Meanwhile, park goers say the problem is only getting worse.

"It's a shame," said Ewa Beach resident Kenneth Bates, who was sitting on the back of his pick-up truck yesterday, watching the line on his fishing pole sway with the waves. "There are people that don't respect this. It is a beautiful beach."

Nearby, Howard Wilson and Marvin Larosa were just reeling in their lines and sitting down to lunch. They said they've been going to the park for years and have been disappointed with the recent spate of dumping.

But they also say people have been getting rid of their bulk trash at Hau Bush for as long as they can remember, though the problem has only just started up along the park's entrance roadway.

"I'd like it to be green," Larosa said.

Over the last decade, illegal dumping at Hau Bush has mostly taken place along a dirt road that leads to the shoreline. But in 2003, the road was blocked to vehicle access to try to alleviate the problem and some say that may have contributed to dumping along the park's main entrance.

"There's a lot of trash," said Bates, adding that the problem also extends to the shoreline, where there's scads of litter in the sand. He said much of it was left behind after a police rousting of more than 100 homeless people from the park five months ago.

Wilson, of Ewa Beach, said illegal dumping isn't just a problem at the park. Earlier this week, someone dumped two refrigerators on the curb outside his home.

Some say illegal dumping could be reduced if the city had regularly-scheduled bulk trash pick-up in Ewa Beach. Earlier this month, Mayor Mufi Hannemann announced plans to extend the service islandwide.

But it won't be available in Ewa Beach until February.

Until then, residents must call 455-1725 to get their items picked up.

Police said dumping at Oneula Beach Park carries a $500 fine and possible jail time.