Illegal homeless encampments, vandalism and reports of violent threats to visitors and nearby residents at Kailua Beach Park led to the three-month pilot program that began Friday, imposing nighttime closure hours from midnight to 4 a.m. at the city-owned park, Honolulu officials say.

To that end, the city Department of Parks and Recreation said it spent $1,500 to install 12 new signs featuring the new closure hours at the park next to Kailua Bay.

DPR officials said that during the pilot program’s trial period through December, they will work with the community, Kailua Neighborhood Board and other city agencies to determine the effectiveness of these nightly closures, and whether they should become permanent.

Most city parks have nightly closure hours, which vary depending on community

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