Kokua Line June Watanabe

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Homeless can take up space at bus stops

Question: A couple has obviously taken up residence at a bus stop at Kapiolani Boulevard and Cooke Street. People waiting for the bus are not able nor want to sit on the bench. The stench of urine is so bad on some days it is unbearable to even wait to cross the street. I've e-mailed the Honolulu Police Department's "community services," which referred me to a telephone number, which referred me to two other numbers only to be told they really can't do anything. Finally and my last attempt, I e-mailed the Institute for Human Services and have had no response. I am at wits' end. Maybe should I try TheBus at my next stop? If you know how these people could get some decent help or even move somewhere near a restroom, can you help?

Q: Why are the same people using the bus stop at 2535 S. King St. to lie down and smoke cigarettes? At night it's used as a bed. Also, there's a sign that says "homeless needs food and money for cigarettes." The public uses this bus stop bench -- seniors, people going to work, etc. -- and this is wrong. Where are these people using the restroom?

Answer: We've received many complaints during the years about the homeless -- in parks, at beaches, on sidewalks, wherever they end up bothering or offending other people.

The answer invariably is that this is a social problem that's not easily solved by just moving them on, while the police point out that being homeless in itself is not a crime.

In this situation, "There is no city ordinance that prohibits an individual from sitting or lying down at a bus stop with no apparent desire to actually catch a bus," said Melvin Kaku, director of the city Department of Transportation Services.

A homeless person sitting or lying down at a bus stop is not sufficient reasonable cause for police to physically remove that person, he said.

While police often are called to speak to these apparent homeless at the bus stops, Kaku said it is only to suggest that they move on. They also are encouraged to seek social assistance, although it's often the case that they don't want to pursue such assistance.

To be more proactive in the face of complaints at several "problem locations," Kaku said the city has "implemented changes to discourage loitering at bus stops."

We haven't been able to find out exactly what those changes are or where the problem stops are located.

Kaku said the city also has begun a program to inspect the problem stops and to "power-wash as necessary" for health and safety reasons.

That was done recently, as one of you has since informed us, at the Kapiolani/Cooke location.

Mahalo

To Mayor Mufi Hannemann and everyone else at the city responsible for repaving Hoowae Street in Pearl City for the first time since the Momilani area was developed 35 years ago. The pavement was so thin that grass and weeds grew throughout the road. -- No Name