Update on Pearl Harbor Bike Path enforcement

News Release from City and County of Honolulu, August 21, 2017

‘Aiea – The City and County of Honolulu successfully completed the first phase of service provider outreach followed by enforcement of its Stored Property Ordinance (SPO) along the Pearl Harbor Bike Path last week near Neal S. Blaisdell Park.  The bike path is also known as the Pearl Harbor Historic Trail.

The city’s Office of Housing and Department of Community Services collaborated with non-profit service providers funded by the city before and during the enforcement. They reached out to individuals experiencing homelessness and living along the bike path, and, as of today, a total of 43 individuals (including six families, four with dogs and three with cats) have been sheltered or housed, and two dogs were placed with the Hawaiian Humane Society. Of the 43 individuals, one was admitted to the Institute for Human Services’ women’s shelter, 33 were admitted to the Wai‘anae Civic Center (WCC) run by US Vets, and the remainder were housed by family and friends. The majority of people living along the bike path were single individuals.

US Vets provided transportation to its WCC shelter in close collaboration with ALEA Bridge, which supported the outreach efforts and which is a nonprofit founded by a former officer of the Honolulu Police Department. The State’s outreach and enforcement further east along the bike path complemented and leveraged the city’s effort. ALEA Bridge continues to work with another 10 individuals to place them in shelter and permanent supportive housing.

Last week along the bike path, also known as the Pearl Harbor Historic Trail, a Department of Facility Maintenance enforcement crew issued 23 Stored Property Ordinance removal notices, stored one bin of personal property and disposed of 41 tons of trash and debris and removed 42 shopping carts.

Meanwhile, staff from the Department of Parks and Recreation are performing maintenance and restoration work at Neal S. Blaisdell Park, and it will be in top shape when it reopens in time for the Labor Day weekend.

“Mahalo to our city enforcement crews, police, park staff, and our Navy and state partners for this team effort,” said Mayor Kirk Caldwell. “As a result of this action, 43 people who were living along the bike path are now in housing, and everyone will be able to enjoy the park and bike path again. They will reopen in time for the Labor Day weekend.”

“The transformation of the Pearl Harbor Bike Path through city efforts has been amazing,” added Honolulu City Councilmember Brandon Elefante. “The community is grateful to see the restoration of this historic and beautiful recreational trail. I am pleased to see that many individuals and families, including their pets, have connected with services and housing. The community looks forward to the reopening of the bike path and Neal S. Blaisdell Park.”

A portion of the Pearl Harbor Bike Path and all of Neal S. Blaisdell Park remain closed through August 31 for maintenance. The Honolulu Police Department will continue to enforce the 24-hour-a-day closure throughout this time period. Bicyclists are being detoured onto Kamehameha Highway between Lehua Avenue and Hekaha Street.

When the bike path and park reopen on Friday, September 1, the city will continue to monitor the area for Stored Property Ordinance violations and will continue to enforce park closure hours from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

The city continues to work with the Navy on Phase Two of the enforcement action.

On July 20, the city and the U.S. Navy announced a grant of easement agreement that allows the city Department of Transportation Services to manage a large section of the Pearl Harbor Bike Path.

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