Waikiki residents take control of streets with returning volunteer program

WAIKIKI, Hawaii (KHON2) — Waikiki residents are banding together in an effort to make the streets of Waikiki just a little bit safer.

On Saturday, the Honolulu Police Department announced the relaunch of Waikiki’s Citizen Patrol program, where residents and volunteers gathered with their bright yellow shirts.

Though the program has been around for quite some time, a lack of community participation stalled its advancement.

HPD partnered with the Waikiki Business Improvement District to bring the program back to life with an even bigger push.

“Really there’s a lot more to it. We’ve got hotels, we’ve got businesses, we’ve got public officials. So the whole idea is to get as many people from our community as many components to come together and do these community walks,” explained Maj. James Slayter, HPD District 6.

Officials said walks like these help send a message to the community and to those who are causing trouble.

“It sends a message to the people that are causing the trouble that ‘Hey, knock it off, and this is a safe community.’ So we’re really excited to bring it back in Waikiki,” said Trevor Abarzua, President and Executive Director of the Waikiki Business Improvement District.

Crime in Waikiki is down overall, but organizers hope to continue the momentum of safety by holding walks every other week and overnight twice a year.