August 06, 2004

The high rents and lack of availability lead to unpermitted and unsafe dwellings like the one in the back here, being put up. We see a lot of this in Puna where land is really cheap so you buy a lot then put a tent on it then build a hut like this one. I think this was once a carport.
The next three photos were taken today at Richardson Beach Park. There dozens of multi generational families, many native Hawaiian, live under blue tarps. this squatters camp has been in existance for a long time, someone told me 15 years not long ago. A generation was raised there and another is growing up with a porta potty for a bathroom and a life style that will lead to another generation in poverty. I saw the other day I was by there, new SUV's pulled up next to the tents. Either they are owned by the residents or people are buying drugs or something...
Our mayor tried to prepare this group for removal, and he was run off, and police were called. They feel that this is a good way to live and we do gooders should stay away form the public beach they are squatting on.