WAILUKU (AP) — About 100 homeless people who set up camp in woods near the Maui town of Paia have been given less than three weeks to leave following a year of complaints about them from beachgoers.
WAILUKU (AP) — About 100 homeless people who set up camp in woods near the Maui town of Paia have been given less than three weeks to leave following a year of complaints about them from beachgoers.
They reported thefts, harassment and trash accumulation, county spokesman Rod Antone told The Maui News in a story published Thursday.
A notice was posted at Baldwin Beach Bark telling the homeless people they must leave by May 23 because of what Antone called a public health and safety issue.
Parks and Recreation Department Director Kaala Buenconsejo said the department spends hours dealing with the homeless community time instead of dealing with park upkeep and maintenance.
Rangers “are spending 90 percent of their time issuing citations for the homeless,” she said.
Counselors and other providers of services for the homeless will be sent to the area over the next several weeks, Antone said.