‘Deep Sanitization’: Homeless People Removed From Hilo Park
Hawaii Island Parks and Recreation workers said they are cleaning up Mo’oheau Park.
About 20 homeless people were removed from Hilo’s Mo‘oheau Park last week amid a “deep clean” of the facility, the
Officials said the park, often occupied by people experiencing homelessness, had become increasingly overrun with garbage and human waste.
“This is a county park. It’s for the people,” Mayor Harry Kim told the Tribune-Herald. “It’s not your private dump. It’s not your private toilet.”
Community police officers assisted with removing the homeless individuals, about half of whom were placed into shelters by Hope Services Hawaii, the Tribune-Herald reported. Others left the park which was closed on Friday so workers could clean the area, including the bandstand and bus stop.
Parks and Recreation Deputy Director Maurice Messina said two security guards will monitor the area. Park hours will be restricted to 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the facility will only be available to groups with permits, the Tribune-Herald reported.
