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On Jan. 18, Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources initiated a coordinated sweep through the Kahului Harbor area with the focus on the growing homeless and derelict vehicles spread out throughout the State Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation property.
My most recent count was 23 derelict vehicles. A Notice of Violation was posted on Jan. 11 for each documented campsite by state personnel to initiate a clean-up process.
The Maui managers from both DOBOR and the state Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement were present, along with a state-funded homeless coordinator and a spokesperson from the DLNR.
In my humble opinion, this soft sweep and possible follow-up was a complete waste of time and taxpayer money. I also noted that no tow truck companies were contracted in this mickey-mouse plan to control this mess.
Don't get me wrong, I do feel for those individuals who are down on their luck and have nowhere else to go. More help is always needed to transition these individuals and others around the island into a designated safe location with proper health facilities to help them get back on their feet, but not at a DLNR recreational boat harbor where Maui boaters are being pushed to the side from using the boating facility we pay fees to use.
It's a health and safety hazard straight up, and DLNR, which I was employed with for almost 30 years, has knowingly let this boat ramp into the condition we see it today.
Nalu Yen
Wailuku