MAKIKI, Hawaii (KHON2) — A group of volunteers just wants to grow their own food, but they say they are dealing with threats, damage and unsanitary conditions at Makiki District Park.
Folks who oversee the garden told say that they have been left to fend for themselves.
Those who tend to the community gardens at Makiki District Park said they have dealt with a stinky situation for a while now — and they are not just talking about compost.
“I don’t know if you’ve stepped in human poop. It is extremely difficult to get off of you. It stays around, it smells and it’s disgusting and it’s extremely unsanitary,” said Makiki Community Gardens Vice President Amanda Kirby. “We see and catch people in the middle of the day when the bathrooms are open because they either A, feel unsafe. Two, it’s being used for other things full of people doing whatever.”
Honolulu police said there have been 62 park closure citations, 11 sidewalk structure citations and eight litter citations at Makiki Park since January 2024. Park users said the bathrooms are often overrun by homeless people and the neighborhood board added their complaints often either go unnoticed or are simply ignored.
“Every time the neighborhood board complains, every once in a while, we’ll get slightly heightened police presence,” Chair Nathaniel Char said. “But unless they like get out and really look around, the cops can’t see anything from the street.”
Community members who oversee safety at the garden say that they are going to have to shut off the water faucets around the facility out of concern for public safety and general sanitation.
“Kids will run through here. Folks got to go through here to take care of their plots. That’s just a health disaster waiting to happen,” Char said.
“Would you rather plant in an area where there’s a human feces water runoff or would you rather plant in a container with the likelihood that it’s going to be stolen?” Kirby asked.
Officials said they will research to see if the six-figure quote for the perimeter fence is still accurate.