HomeMy WebLinkAbout20211130 KPD NR KPD's Kaiakea Cleanup Project 2021 helps reduce eastside crimeDEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: November 30, 2021
COUNTY OF KAUA‘I
KAUA‘I POLICE DEPARTMENT
TODD G. RAYBUCK, CHIEF
(808) 241-1600
KPD’s Kaiakea Cleanup Project 2021 helps reduce eastside crime
KAIAKEA – The Kauaʿi Police Department (KPD), along with the help of numerous local and state
entities, made strides recently in reducing crime-related activity at the Kaiakea encampment across
from the Kealia Kai lookout.
The Kaiakea Cleanup Project 2021 was initiated by KPD earlier this year due to the encampment
being the site of multiple crimes since 2020.
The project spanned over the course of several months and included the removal of more than
500 used syringes, as well as numerous used Narcan applications and many empty crystal
methamphetamine baggies.
“This was a priority location for several reasons, among them being illegal drug activities that
involved using and selling heroin, crystal methamphetamine and more recently, fentanyl,” said
Investigative Services Bureau Detective Barry DeBlake. “KPD was also able to verify the location as the
site of at least two overdose incidents where Narcan was administered by individuals within the
encampment to save both people. There were also two fentanyl-related deaths linked to this location,
one involving a person who frequented the encampment and another that occurred near the area.”
Moreover, this is the location where the community has raised concerns regarding how
dangerous the encampment was for motorists traveling southbound on Kūhiō Highway. The area, which
is adjacent to a blind curve in the roadway, made it difficult for drivers to see people and vehicles
leaving the encampment.
The Kaiakea Cleanup Project 2021 is in keeping with Chief Todd Raybuck’s Crime Reduction
Goals for 2021.
Multiple agencies and individuals were responsible for the project’s success. KPD partnered with
the County of Kauaʿi (COK) Housing Agency and Homeless Coordinator Ashton Varner, the COK
Department of Public Works and Deputy County Engineer Boyd Gayagas, the COK Department of Parks
and Recreation and Park Maintenance Administrator Kylan Dela Cruz, Hawaiʿi Department of
Transportation representatives, Hawaiʿi Department of Education Westy Kessler and KPD Kawaihau
District Commander Lieutenant Daniel Oliveira.
The first phase of the project involved Varner and her team visiting the encampment multiple
times to offer the houseless resources and assistance.
During that time, meetings took place between several agencies as to what would be the best
way to take care of the encampment and what role each agency would play during the cleanup.
One of the many steps involved in the large-scale project was obtaining all of the proper
approvals due to the encampment’s location on COK and DOE properties. Some of the other tasks
included agencies providing heavy equipment and various other tools to help support the cleanup, while
KPD handling the law enforcement portion of the project.
“A special thanks go out to all the partnering agencies for their help on making this so
successful,” said DeBlake. “The Kaiakea Cleanup Project has already shown a reduction in criminal
activities that would not have happened without the help of everyone involved.”
Photos from the Kaiakea encampment site.
###