Hawaii officials extended the deadline to October for the Waianae homeless encampment Puʻuhonua O Waiʻanae to leave its shoreline site and move to a new kauhale community.
The Department of Land and Natural Resources said the extension followed a request from POW and coordination with Gov. Josh Green’s office.
Acting Chair Ryan Kanakaʻole said Green’s administration had supported POW’s plan to relocate to the land the community bought for permanent housing.
Kanakaʻole said DLNR is working with community leaders to move residents safely and restore the shoreline area near the Waianae boat harbour.
He said the state is speeding up cleanup at the current makai site and construction at the mauka development.
In a June 19 letter to Sen. Samantha DeCorte, Kanakaʻole said the extension is not indefinite. He also said it does not block law enforcement action during the closure process.
More than 100 people remain at the makai encampment, according to DLNR. POW told the state it expects that number to fall to about 30 by month’s end.
Read: Former Nickelodeon Star Tyler Chase Seen Homeless
DLNR said debris and structure removal will begin as areas are vacated. The department said contractors are already being lined up.
POW told the state that some residents do not plan to move mauka. DLNR said outreach workers are engaging them, while the department prepares for legal removal under standard procedures.
State homelessness officials are helping finish the remaining mauka housing units, which POW has agreed to accept.
