INFAMOUS WAIʻANAE ENCAMPMENT GETS ANOTHER EXTENSION AFTER STATE PROMISED CLOSURE
News Release from Senate Republican Caucus, June 19, 2026
WAIʻANAE, OʻAHU – Just six days before the June 25, 2026, move-out deadline, Acting DLNR Chair Ryan Kanakaʻole approved another extension for the Puʻuhonua O Waiʻanae encampment, pushing the closure date to October 16, 2026. The decision was made following discussions between Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and Puʻuhonua O Waiʻanae.
This marks the third extension granted since the original notice to vacate was issued. The initial deadline was November 27, 2025, followed by extensions to April 30, 2026, June 25, 2026, and now October 16, 2026. Community members argue that each extension has pushed back the long-promised closure of the encampment and restoration of Waiʻanae Boat Harbor, despite repeated assurances that the previous deadline would be the last.
"I am tired of being told to wait. For 20 years, our community has dealt with drug activity, crime, theft, and constant calls to HPD, yet we're expected to accept another extension. The State promised this would end. It didn't. Enough is enough." Kalei Salcedo, Wai’anae resident
PRESS CONFERENCE DETAILS
Date: Saturday, June 20, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Location:
Waiʻanae Boat Harbor
85-491 Farrington Highway
Waiʻanae, Hawaiʻi 96792
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STATEMENT FROM DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES ON SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE OF WAIʻANAE BOAT HARBOR
News Release from DLNR, June 20, 2026
HONOLULU – Board of Land and Natural Resources Acting Chairperson Ryan Kanakaʻole today announced an extension for the long-planned relocation of the Puʻuhonua O Waiʻanae (POW) community to its new kauhale development.
“The Department of Land and Natural Resources has granted a request from Puʻuhonua O Waiʻanae (POW) to extend the deadline to vacate the makai encampment. Working with the Governor’s Office, we have reached an agreement to extend the move-out deadline for POW to October 16, 2026,” Kanakaʻole said.
“Governor Josh Green’s administration has long supported and worked with POW, a community that has been proactive in relocating itself to land it purchased to give its members a better future. Governor Green respected founder Twinkle Borge and has continued to work in collaboration with this community.
“The Department has been working with community leaders to ensure everyone is moved safely and the area is properly restored. To this end, the state will be assisting in accelerating both the cleanup of the current site and the new mauka construction. In further support, the Board of Land and Natural Resources has authorized a phased closure of the site to help ensure progress of the operation.”
COVERAGE: