A state agency is kicking off a six-month pilot project this week to clean up some Kakaako parks and reduce their homeless populations.

The Hawaii Community Development Authority hopes to get homeless women and children out of the parks and into shelters, refer others to social service programs, and reduce unwanted behavior on park grounds.

It's part of a $55,000 plan to clean up Gateway Park, Kakaako Waterfront Park and Kewalo Basin Park, which have seen an increase in homeless people recently.

“;We're not doing a sweep of the park,”; said Anthony Ching, HCDA executive director. “;This is beautification and outreach first.”;

About 40 people live at Gateway Park along Ilalo Street, including seven families with children, said Utu Langi, executive director of the community group H-5. About 10 people also live at Kewalo Basin Park, Ching said.

HCDA, the landowner, has been working on a cleanup plan since September because of the growing homeless population.

Ching said some people living in the parks leave piles of rubbish or defecate there. Because the Waterfront Park restrooms are trashed at night, he has the water turned off overnight and is looking at installing locks.

“;It's terrible,”; said Lee Tom, an employee at the Acura dealership on Ala Moana Boulevard. He said he's had to clean up human feces on Koula Street. In the morning, some homeless people fight, and at night they line the street behind the dealership with their tents, he said.

State Rep. Tom Brower, who represents the area, said residents have raised concerns about homeless people staying near the Children's Discovery Center because children are bused in there and youth groups practice sports at the park.

Ching said the cleanup will begin Friday when personnel from the Hawaii Public Housing Authority go into the park with translators for Micronesians, who make up a majority of the population at the parks. Police and deputy sheriffs will be there for support.

A key part of the plan is the Evan's Bus Project—as in Evening Angels—which has been contracted to provide tour buses converted into sleeping areas.

Two buses parked in a vacant corner lot on Forest Avenue and Ala Moana Boulevard will provide beds for up to 16 residents, with one bus as storage for their belongings.

The residents staying in the buses will also get a daily meal and a place to do laundry and shower.

H-5, or Hawaii Helping the Hungry Have Hope, operates the bus program and also manages Next Step, the state emergency shelter off Forest Avenue.

Langi said the buses are meant to be a stepping stone to stricter state emergency shelters and give people an immediate place to stay. Next Step has room for some families.

HCDA, which funded the project, also plans to start a neighborhood watch with business members and volunteers from Next Step. Volunteers will also do weekly park cleanups, Ching said.

Some of those staying at the park looked forward to some help.

“;We like it,”; said Camila Peter, 24, who has stayed at Gateway Park for four months along with her husband and 10-month-old son. “;I don't like it over here. We tried to get inside the shelter, but it takes too long.”;