HONOLULU, Dec. 5 (UPI) -- Hawaiian state officials are concerned that the number of homeless people living on one Oahu beach has grown to more than 1,000, including children.
The problem is on the Waianae Coast of Oahu, where because of skyrocketing real estate market, houses that rented for $200 or $300 a month two years ago are now advertised for more than $1,000, The New York Times syndicate reported Tuesday.
The problem reached a point where Gov. Linda Lingle assigned state employee Kaulana Park to work full time at getting people off the beaches and into transitional housing, the newspaper said.
Park said the estimate of 1,000 doesn't account for people who sleep on a relative's sofa, in their cars or camp in areas not as visible as the public beaches.
Dino Palisbo, who has been living on the beach with his girlfriend and their three dogs for about a year, said some people don't want to live in a shelter.
"Half of them can pay rent but it is so high it is going to take them out of the comfort zone," Palisbo told the Times.
