KAILUA-KONA — A two-month investigation into drug distribution and drug use at a homeless campsite in the Old Kona Airport Beach Park yielded two arrests and the seizure of drugs and cash, authorities said. ADVERTISING KAILUA-KONA — A two-month investigation
KAILUA-KONA — A two-month investigation into drug distribution and drug use at a homeless campsite in the Old Kona Airport Beach Park yielded two arrests and the seizure of drugs and cash, authorities said.
Michelle Wright, 43, and Samson Keanaaina, 53, both of Kailua-Kona, were taken into custody after a narcotics search warrant, executed by officers Wednesday morning, found 171.3 grams, more than 6.1 ounces, of suspected crystal methamphetamine, 45.5 grams of suspected marijuana, 0.4 grams of suspected black tar heroin, and numerous drug paraphernalia related to methamphetamine use and distribution.
Also recovered from the scene was $2,026 cash, which was seized for forfeiture.
The arrests were part of an ongoing investigation into drug distribution and drug use in the area, said Hawaii Police Department Area II Vice Section Lt. Sherry D. Bird.
Wright and Keanaaina, both with no permanent address, were arrested for promoting dangerous drugs and taken to the Kona Police Station, according a press release from the department.
On Thursday, Wright and Keanaaina were charged with first-degree promoting dangerous drugs, a class A felony; second-degree promoting dangerous drugs; three counts of third-degree promoting dangerous drugs; second-degree promoting detrimental drugs; and promoting controlled substances in a park.
Despite the arrests, those at the park Thursday were compassionate toward the homeless situation there.
Anastacia Abellera, 77, of Kailua-Kona, was at the Old Airport pulling weeds with her 11-year-old granddaughter, Jada Keen.
“What can we do?” Abellera asked.
“Look at Honolulu. Inch by inch they’re filling up,” she said, adding the homeless are humans, too. “We can’t throw them out into the ocean.”
Jada said she thought not every homeless person who comes to live at the Old Airport does drugs. She thinks they get introduced to it while they’re living there.
A homeless man, only identified as Tito, was riding his bike around collecting bottles Thursday afternoon. He said not to believe the hype.
“It’s not everything it’s cracked up to be,” Tito said. “People just need a place to rest their heads.”
Charmaine Kamaka, parks and recreation director for Hawaii County, said she was glad the suspects were removed from the park.
“It will help us in our quest to relocate the homeless so that they can get the drug treatment or substance abuse treatment they need,” Kamaka said.
When she went to work for the county in December, Kamaka said, the homeless situation was an immediate topic of discussion.
“You want to be compassionate,” she said. “But you want a save haven for those who need housing but don’t have housing. It’s a multi-faceted problem.”
There is no easy answer, Kamaka added.
Bail was set at $166,000 for both Wright and Keanaaina. As of Thursday afternoon, the two were still in custody at the Kealakehe Police Station.
Their first initial court appearance is today.
Bird said police encourage the public to contact authorities if they have any tips about drug use.
Area II Vice executed the search warrant. The officers were assisted by Community Policing Officers and the Juvenile Aid Section.
