A Honolulu police officer suffered minor injuries yesterday morning when he was allegedly stabbed by a homeless man in Waikiki.

 

  Police Officer Stabbed At Local Park

 

  A Honolulu Police Officer was rushed to the hospital in serious condition after he was stabbed by a homeless man. 

 

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  The 27-year-old suspect, previously convicted of assault and drug charges, was sought by law enforcement on an outstanding warrant.

Shortly before 1:55 a.m., a group of police officers made a warrant check on the suspect, who was at the Koko Head end of Waikiki Beach, across from Kapiolani Park.

Once the suspect was identified, officers moved in to arrest him, and he allegedly stabbed one of them once in the lower torso.

There was a short foot chase before the suspect was restrained on Kalakaua Avenue. A knife was recovered.

The Waikiki-based officer, who has been with the Police Department for seven years, was transported to the Queen's Medical Center in good condition. He was treated and released.

Police are not identifying the officer. The suspect, who has no local address, was arrested on suspicion of attempted first-degree murder.

In June 2007 the suspect was convicted of third-degree assault and second-degree terroristic threatening. He was jailed for five days.

In November 2000 he was convicted of second-degree promoting dangerous drugs, a felony, and having liquor in a public place.

Rico Alcosiba, a 55-year-old homeless man in the area, said he did not see what happened yesterday. He said he was awakened by police and asked to move away from the beach as the investigation continued.

Alcosiba worries now that he faces possible stronger enforcement of a recent law that restricts camping in public parks overnight.

“;It just takes one guy to spoil it for us all,”; Alcosiba said. “;Incidents like that gonna give them power to say, 'Close it down.'”;

Alcosiba said some police officers are lenient in enforcing the law, particularly for longtime homeless residents of the area.

“;Most of the old-timers, they don't bother us,”; he said.

Police officials did not return calls for further comment, but Waikiki Neighborhood Board Chairman Robert Finley said he thinks the officers must be frustrated.

“;They finally got a new law to enforce, but they're taking their time so they don't bully these people,”; Finley said. “;But we do need to clear the homeless, and we need to find a place for these people to live. There are a group of them that are lawbreakers, and they need to be dealt with accordingly.”;

Finley said although Waikiki crime has been on the decline in the past five years, a tough economy might further aggravate the homeless situation on Oahu.

“;I think the more we see unemployment and homelessness, we will have a dangerous environment,”; he said.